PLDT and Smart have activated quick response teams to ensure customers remain connected all throughout as Typhoon Bising batters the eastern border of Bicol and Visayas with heavy rain. 

PLDT and Smart have prepositioned personnel, back-up power supply and network equipment to be deployed at a moment’s notice to sites that may be damaged by the cyclone. 

Smart’s Libreng Tawag (free call) stations in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar are also on standby. They are ready to be deployed to areas that will be heavily impacted by the cyclone. In the interest of public safety, operations of these facilities will commence once the storm has passed. 

By Sunday afternoon, Typhoon Bising has slightly weakened while moving over the Philippine Sea east of Catanduanes. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been raised over Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

PLDT and Smart urge everyone to take necessary precautions, prepare emergency packs, charge mobile phones and power banks, and ensure enough load credits. PLDT and Smart advise the public to heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities. The two companies are ready to extend assistance to response and rescue teams in areas that will be affected by the storm. 

All these efforts are part of PLDT and Smart’s #SafePH advocacy, which promotes preparedness and immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions and activities, and relief assistance to help communities mitigate disaster risks.