Telcos prepare humanitarian aid for areas affected by ‘Jolina’

MANILA – Two of the country’s largest telecommunications companies are ready to provide assistance in areas that may be affected by Severe Tropical Storm Jolina.

In a public service advisory on Tuesday, Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) said it will deploy free calls, free charging, and free WiFi services to residents in areas that may be affected by “Jolina”.

It said these services will be available in Borongan Plaza, Baybay 3, Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and in front of the Municipal Building of Santa Margarita in Western Samar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 7 to 8.

“Globe assures the public that it is ready to assist as necessary to ensure continuous communications services. The company’s technical and support personnel are on standby. It also has generators for its facilities in case of power supply interruption,” it said.

Meanwhile, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) have mobilized quick response teams and “mission-critical” equipment in provinces that are predicted to be in the storm’s path.

“PLDT and Smart continue to engage local government units on how they can assist communities that are under threat by the typhoon,” PLDT-Smart said in a press release.

Free calls, free charging, and free WiFi stations through pop-up stations will also be rolled out in areas that will be affected by the typhoon.

“Smart has also frontloaded its retailers and business partners with inventory, so they’ll have enough credits to offer customers in the coming days,” PLDT-Smart said.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said “Jolina” weakened into severe tropical storm as it moves over the Sibuyan Sea.

Its center was last estimated at 60 kilometers west-northwest of Masbate City, Masbate, and is on track to be 60 km north of Romblon, Romblon by 2 a.m. on Wednesday.