Advisory 04: PLDT, Smart network services stay resilient amid ‘Betty’ within PAR
[29 May 2023] As of 8am Philippine Standard Time, PLDT, the Philippines' largest fully integrated telco company and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) assure their customers that network services stay resilient as #BettyPH remains within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
PLDT and Smart’s North Luzon network sites continue to serve the region, all with sufficient fuel supply. Additionally, no commercial power interruptions relative to typhoon ‘Betty’ were reported.
“Critical departments of PLDT and Smart such as our network operations, property and facilities management, and business continuity and resilience teams are continuously working hand in hand in ensuring the preparedness of our facilities especially during disasters. This is part of our broader commitment towards building a resilient network amid adversity,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
Typhoon ‘Betty’ slightly accelerated northwestward and is currently located over the waters of Cagayan as reported by weather bureau PAGASA earlier this morning. PAGASA also raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 2 over Batanes, the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.
Meanwhile, the rest of Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and the northern portion of Camarines Norte are currently experiencing TCWS no. 1.
We urge everyone to take necessary precautions and heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities.
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Advisory 03: PLDT, Smart network operations team ready for activation as ‘Betty’ enters PAR
[27 May 2023] As of 11am, Philippine Standard Time, mission-critical equipment and teams of PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. are on standby for deployment as needed as super typhoon #BettyPH, with international name #Mawar, enters Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this morning.
“PLDT and Smart continue to monitor the movement and intensity of ‘Betty’ as it currently traverses PAR. While weather bureau PAGASA reported that the super typhoon still has not directly affected our provinces, PLDT and Smart remain on full alert and has already prepared for the anticipated impacts of ‘Betty’. A central command center in Makati City and a regional command center in Pampanga are already on standby and will be activated as soon as needed,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
PAGASA also reported that the super typhoon’s eye center was located at 1,170 km east of Central Luzon based on estimated data, as ‘Betty’ maintains its strength while moving west northwestward. The weather bureau also raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on the eastern portion of Cagayan, including Babuyan and Camiguin Islands, and the eastern portion of Isabela which may persist in the next 36 hours.
Super typhoon ‘Betty’ is expected to move generally west northwestward over the weekend and will remain as a super typhoon while maintaining its strength in the next 36 to 48 hours.
PLDT and Smart ensure their network operations team and mission-critical equipment remain stable and prepared for the potential impacts of super typhoon ‘Betty’.
We urge everyone to take necessary precautions and heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities.
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Advisory 02: PLDT, Smart remain on full alert as 'Mawar' nears PAR
[26 May 2023] As of 8am, Philippine Standard Time, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have accelerated their preparation of mission-critical equipment and teams as super typhoon ‘Mawar’ nears the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“PLDT and Smart have been on full alert since super typhoon ‘Mawar’ began moving towards PAR. We have activated our business continuity plan to ensure minimal to zero disruption in our network and services,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
Since yesterday, PLDT and Smart’s network operations teams have already been deployed to areas in Northern Luzon that may be impacted by ‘Mawar’. Frequent updates and situational reporting from the ground have been provided since.
Weather bureau PAGASA just reported that ‘Mawar’ has slightly intensified as it was moving westward over the Philippine Sea, with the center of its eye located at 1,705 km east of Southeastern Luzon estimated based on all available data.
Movement of ‘Mawar’ is still expected to continue generally northwestward until Sunday and forecasted to enter PAR tonight or Saturday early morning. While ‘Mawar’ is anticipated to reach its peak intensity within 24 hours, it may still slightly weaken by tomorrow evening, but will remain as a super typhoon until Monday morning.
The super typhoon may bring heavy rains over Northern Luzon beginning late Sunday or on Monday next week. This may cause flooding or rain-induced landslides in affected areas. Forecast for ‘Mawar’ also shows it will enhance the Southwest Monsoon which may bring rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas beginning on Sunday or Monday.
PLDT and Smart continue to prepare their facilities, ready with sufficiently fueled generator sets, in areas that may be impacted by super typhoon ‘Mawar’, which will be called #BettyPH once within PAR. A central command center in Makati City and a regional command center in Pampanga are already on standby and will be activated as soon as needed.
We urge everyone to take necessary precautions and heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities.
#SafeandSmart
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Advisory 01: PLDT, Smart mission-critical manpower, equipment on the ready as ST Mawar barrels towards PH
[25 May 2023] As of 2pm, Philippine Standard Time, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) reinforce their 24/7 monitoring of super typhoon ‘Mawar’ which will be named ‘Betty’ once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“The Group's mission-critical manpower and equipment are on standby, as weather bureau PAGASA has reported that ‘Mawar’ has reintensified into a super typhoon, moving generally west northwestward towards the sea area east of Extreme Northern Luzon,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
PLDT and Smart are also in close coordination with pre-positioned response teams that may be deployed to affected areas along the routes of ‘Mawar’.
‘Mawar’ is expected to enter PAR on Friday evening or Saturday morning, which may being heavy rains over Cagayan Valley starting Sunday until Tuesday next week.
Most areas of the region may also experience strong to gale-force weather conditions except Batanes and Babuyan Islands which are anticipated to experience gale to storm-force conditions. Raising Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal may be expected in the coming days.
However, PAGASA advised to consider to the potential shifts in the direction of ‘Mawar’, causing changes in its impact. ‘Mawar’ may enhance the Southwest Monsoon, which may cause rains over the western portions of Luzon and Visayas beginning Sunday or Monday. This scenario may still change depending on the super typhoon’s track and intensity.
We urge everyone to take necessary precautions and heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities.
