Communication lines in typhoon-hit areas restored by year-end

MANILA – Communication lines in areas hardest hit by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette could be restored before the year ends, according to Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Emmanuel “Manny” Caintic.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, Caintic said clearing operations are already ongoing in Surigao, Siargao, and the Dinagat Islands, with power restoration currently prioritized for the effective rollout of other services.

“Sinusubukan matapos ngayong buwan ang pinakamabilis. Ang una nating inaayos muna iyong power; ma-clear muna ang mga natumbang mga poste ng power (We’re trying to finish it within this month soonest. First, we’re trying to fix the power; clear downed power poles),” Caintic said.

He said the DICT, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and partners in the private telecommunications sector such as Globe and Smart are working together for the immediate restoration of utilities in the affected areas.

“Ang ating tinutulong is iyong transport ng kanilang mga tauhan at mga kagamitan para maayos ang mga tore at ang mga fiber cuts (We’re helping them by transporting their personnel and equipment so they can fix their towers and fiber cuts),” Caintic said.

The damage in the three areas, he said, was mostly on the ‘fiber backhaul’ of telecommunications infrastructures such as towers.

“May mga ilang tore din na tinamaan, pero mostly iyong kanilang fiber backhaul na nagbibigay sa kanila ng signal at connection to their main services (There were some damaged towers but mostly it was the fiber backhaul that provides them with connection to their main services),” Caintic said.

In addition, he said the DICT has provided local government units with emergency communications equipment such as ‘VSAT’ WiFi terminals and satellite phones.

“So, bawat mayor na tinamaan at saka iyong bawat governor makakapag-usap (So, all mayors affected and their governors will be able to talk to each other),” Caintic said.

He said free Wi-Fi sites through VSAT terminals will also be provided to the public.

Aside from providing free internet services, he said “Tawag Centers (Call Centers)” will be established using VSAT terminals that will enable the public to make phone calls and send text messages.