Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered telecommunication companies to provide free call and charging services in areas affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that rocked parts of Luzon on Wednesday.
The NTC also reminded telcos to observe health protocols in setting up their Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in quake-hit areas.
The agency assigned its Cordillera Administrative Region director Mildado Lee to oversee the implementation of its order and tasked telcos to submit their compliance report on or before Aug. 10.
In a statement, Globe Telecom Inc. said it has deployed its free call and charging station at the Bangued Plaza in Abra, which is expected to be operational at least for the next three days.
The location is near Lagangilang town — epicenter of the powerful earthquake.
“Our technical teams immediately assessed our network and we found no damage to our infrastructure. Our network is stable. Customers, emergency workers and local authorities in quake-hit areas may expect reliable connectivity, which is crucial in addressing urgent concerns in the aftermath of this powerful temblor,” said Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto.
Globe also activated its customer care platforms to attend to the concerns of their customers in quake-hit areas.
Meanwhile, PLDT-Smart announced it has deployed personnel and equipment in setting up their free call and charging stations in Abra and Ilocos Sur.
PLDT-Smart put up their free call and charging station at the Abra PD Office in Bangued.
The firm has two stations in Ilocos Sur — at the Candon City PD Office and Vigan Northern Alliance Trading office.
