PLDT customers in quake-hit Taiwan can now call their loved ones for free through their Smart Virtual Numbers (SVN). Powered by PLDT Global, SVN subscribers can update family and friends in the Philippines of their situation, through their Smart, TNT or PLDT landline numbers. Non-SVN subscribers are also encouraged to register to tinbo.ph and get their free SVN numbers to avail of this service.

“In times of crisis, we are here to help by providing our fellow Filipinos affected by the earthquake in Taiwan ways to reach their families or even government services through our services,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, PLDT Global President and CEO.

Filipinos in Taiwan can also reach the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Helpline 1348 for free via TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing), the one-stop online marketplace for global Filipinos.

TINBO has integrated a helpline button that enables OFWs to connect to the OWWA Helpline 1348 through online or web-based calls swiftly and securely. To use, TINBO users simply need to log on to their TINBO account and click on their registered SVN to access the OWWA Helpline 1348 button.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) Facebook page, the Taiwan Ministry of Labor listed 159,480 Filipinos in Taiwan, where 150,666 are overseas Filipino workers. The DMW also posted an advisory on their social media, stating that they have opened a Help Desk for OFWs who may need assistance after the earthquake. [END]