PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. extends additional support to communities in Central Visayas severely affected by super typhoon Odette. The city of Cebu, the municipality of Compostela in northern Cebu, and the municipalities of Loboc and President Carlos P. Garcia in Bohol have recently received generator sets from Smart to help provide electricity to typhoon-hit areas still without commercial power. These go on top of the 3,000 relief packs earlier distributed to affected communities in Central Visayas and over 20 Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging stations activated to provide communications aid in highly impacted areas in Cebu and Bohol.
“It has been more than three months since Odette left a trail of destruction in Central Visayas. Since then, PLDT and Smart have not only worked hard to bring back communication in the region, but also readily provided various forms of support to ensure that we will recover together from the typhoon’s devastation,” said Lailane Husain-Go, Senior Manager, Smart Regional Customer Development for Central Visayas.
The LGU-beneficiaries in Bohol consider the support helpful in assisting their constituents still recovering from Odette’s devastation. The municipality of President Carlos P. Garcia plans to utilize the generator sets for their mobile charging initiative that will benefit 23 barangays on the island.
Meanwhile, the generator sets for Cebu City and Compostela will also be deployed to their mountain barangays affected by scheduled power interruptions and line repairs.
“On behalf of the municipality of Loboc, we are very thankful for all the help extended by PLDT and Smart to our people, especially right after Odette’s onslaught. These generator sets will surely assist those barangays that are still not energized post Odette,” said Loboc MDRRMO Head Kristine Digal.
These efforts underscore PLDT and Smart’s #SafeandSmart advocacy which promotes preparedness and immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, and relief assistance to help communities mitigate disaster risks.