Overcoming tough logistical challenges brought on by typhoon Odette, the PLDT group successfully delivers its first tranche of relief goods to the hardest-hit areas in the Visayas. PLDT and Smart, together with PLDT-Smart Foundation, have turned over around 500 food packs to the local government unit of Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental. These will be distributed to communities that were heavily impacted typhoon Odette. 

Smart also turned over 200 5G-ready SIMs to help affected residents latch on to Smart’s network that has kept the sixth district of Negros Occidental connected even at the height of #OdettePH. 

“Madamo guid nga salamat nga sa subong ari kami sa critical nga sitwasyon tungod sang bagyo nga Odette, salamat sa inyong mga bulig nga ginpadala ninyo sa amon (Thank you so much for sending help while we are in a critical situation because of typhoon Odette),” said Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco. 

“Thank you, Smart, for the food packs you have sent us and for staying with us and keeping us connected even in the middle of typhoon Odette,” said former Sixth District Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez. 

PLDT and Smart were represented by Grace Ruperto, Vic Awid, Art Labrador, Art Lamayo and PD 888’s Deony Dy. Smart earlier set up a Libreng Tawag and Charging station in the city to connect affected residents with their loved ones. 

More than 25,000 families are staying in evacuation centers across the whole province in the aftermath of the typhoon.