Globe, PLDT-Smart restore majority of services in Odette-hit areas
Telco giants Globe and PLDT and Smart Communications have announced that they've restored the majority of their mobile services in areas affected by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai).
In a release on Dec. 30, Globe said Negros Occidental is "now fully restored," while several municipalities in Negros Oriental already "back up."
Globe added that mobile services in most parts of Cebu and Palawan have also returned, and that it's "working continuously" to bring its communication facilities back.
PLDT-Smart, meanwhile, on Dec. 29 said that in Visayas, 91% of wireless services and 67% of fixed services have been restored.
For Mindanao, wireless services are already 98% up, while fixed services are already approaching completion.
In Palawan, PLDT-Smart said 83% of wireless services and 90% of fixed services have returned.
The telco reminded customers that services "may still be affected by the availability of commercial power and fiber cuts."
PLDT and Smart, together with PLDT-Smart Foundation, have also shared on Facebook that they've provided relief goods to residents of Pitogo (Carlos P. Garcia) in Bohol, as well as in the communities of Alegria, Badian, and Malabuyoc in Cebu.
Odette, the 15th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility, is considered as the country's strongest typhoon this year. As it laid waste to the land, it also severed critical telecommunications and electrical lines in its wake.
In its situation report on Dec. 30, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said over one million families comprising 4.1 million individuals have been affected by Odette. It also displaced 550,000 residents across 1,200 evacuation centers.
The force of nature also killed over 350 individuals, injured more than a thousand, and left at least 83 missing.
The NDRRMC pegged infrastructure damage at P16.7 billion and agriculture damage at P5.5 billion.
For those who wish to extend help to families affected by Typhoon Odette, you can click this link for options where you can send your donations.