PLDT Inc. has completed restoration of its fixed line fiber services in Visayas following the recent strong typhoons that ravaged the area—Super Typhoon Odette and Tropical Storm Agaton. 
 
This is on the back of PLDT’s network field engineers' efforts and round-the-clock work to ensure quick restoration, especially since many are still confined in their homes due to the pandemic.
 
“It has been challenging to reconnect areas devastated by the typhoons, but our PLDT frontliners have remained committed to going the extra mile. This is the essence of PLDT’s twin core values of malasakit (compassion) and focus on our North Star—our customers,” said Cathy Yap-Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of PLDT and Smart Corporate Communications.
 
PLDT has also been migrating its customers to fiber, as well as offering additional assistance via automatic bill rebates and providing Prepaid Home WiFi devices with free data to qualified customers in Visayas and Mindanao who are affected by the ongoing migration.
 
However, some typhoon-hit areas in Mindanao are still without internet connectivity due to ongoing restoration of commercial power.
 
Since Odette and Agaton hit Visayas, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have been supporting affected communities by setting up Free Call, Text and WiFi stations, as well as through relief distribution.
 
These initiatives embody PLDT and Smart’s #SafeandSmart advocacy which promotes preparedness and immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, and relief assistance to help communities mitigate disaster risks. 
 
These efforts also highlight the commitment of PLDT and Smart to help the country attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.