PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are mobilizing personnel, equipment and relief aid as Typhoon Jolina lashes Eastern Visayas and barrels towards Southern Luzon.

Quick response teams and mission-critical equipment have been prepositioned in provinces that are in the typhoon’s path, ready to repair communications that will be affected by ‘Jolina’. PLDT and Smart continue to engage local government units on how they can assist communities that are under threat by the typhoon.

Smart is also ready to deploy Libreng Tawag (free calls), Libreng Charging (free charging), Libreng WiFi (free wifi) stations to aid communication needs of residents who will be affected by the storm. In the past, these pop-up communication booths have become the lifeline for affected residents to connect with their relatives.

Smart has also frontloaded its retailers and business partners with inventory, so they’ll have enough credits to offer customers in the coming days.

On Tuesday morning, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over parts of Masbate, Northern Samar, Samar and Leyte as Typhoon Jolina hammered Eastern Visayas with winds of up to 120 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h.

PLDT and Smart aim to create a #SafeandSmart Philippines by championing initiatives that promote a culture of preparedness, provide immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, and relief assistance to communities affected by disasters, and aid in recovery.  

The programs in helping communities become more resilient in times of calamity are in line with the commitment of PLDT and Smart to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #11 of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by significantly reducing the number of people affected by disasters.