With the extended power outage in the earthquake-affected provinces of Eastern Visayas, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications is expanding its Libreng Charging efforts to allow more subscribers to stay connected.
Smart has extended communications assistance to residents and disaster response units following the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that recently hit Jaro, Leyte and affected nearby cities, municipalities and provinces.
According to Ramon Isberto, PLDT and Smart Public Affairs Head: “Even as some areas are hampered by the power loss, our text call and data network was not damaged by the quake. Our subscribers in the area have sufficient load because our dealer network remains intact. We are reacting to a larger demand to recharge devices so our subscribers can remain connected.”
Power outages were experienced in Leyte, Bohol and the Samar provinces after the quake, prompting the telco to open up a number of its cellsites, offices and retail stores in the region as free charging and free calling stations for affected residents.
Communication support was also provided to Leyte’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, for easier coordination in the province’s three worst-hit localities – Ormoc City, Kanaga and Jaro.
Smart has also partnered with local government units and its distributor network in the region to set up more of the Libreng Charging and Libreng Tawag centers in strategic areas such as the local gymnasium and the provincial loading stations.
Recognizing communications as an important form of relief, Smart has been consistent in immediately providing communication as aid in the form of free calls and charging services, and emergency communication links during disasters, to help government and humanitarian agencies coordinate and deliver more effective relief efforts to affected communities
Here is the list of Smart’s free calling and charging centers, updated regularly through its community partnerships Facebook account, facebook.com/SmartCommunities and Twitter account, twitter.com/smartnewsroom.
LIBRENG TAWAG AT CHARGING:
Smart Store, Ormoc
LIBRENG TAWAG:
Kananga Gymnasium, Leyte
LIBRENG CHARGING:
BOHOL:
1. The Sun Shop, Island City Mall, Dampas Dist, Tagbilaran
2. Plaza Marcela Store, Tagbilaran
3. Fortune Enterprises Loading Station, H. Grupo St, Tagbilaran
4. J A Clarin Cellsite, Tagbilaran
ORMOC:
1. PLDT Office
2. Bgry Linao Cellsite
3. Brgy Cogon Cellsite
4. VE YAP ASD Office, Rizal St, Ormoc City
TACLOBAN:
1. PLDT Compound, Jones St, Tacloban
2. Smart Cellsite, M.H. Del Pilar St, Tacloban
3. Bun Kang Marketing, Tacloban
4. Sen. Enaga St, Tacloban
JARO:
1. MDRRMO Office/Cultural Center, Poblacion
PALO:
1. Smart Cellsite, Palo Salvacion, Palo
EASTERN SAMAR:
1. Borongan Loading Station, Barangay E, Downtown Proper, Borongan, Eastern Samar
2. Smart Guiuan Cellsite
NORTHERN SAMAR:
1. Camille Ann’s Building, Jacinto St., Narra, Catarman, Northern Samar
WESTERN SAMAR:
1. Calbayog Loading Station, Magsaysay Blvd. Calbayog Western Samar
2. PLDT Smart Cellsite Catbalogan, Western Samar
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