Telcos work to restore mobile services in Ruby-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines – Local telecommunication networks said Tuesday, December 9, that they have completed or are working on the restoration of their mobile network services in many areas hit by Typhoon Ruby.

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc said its cellular service is back in the following areas:

Eastern Visayas

• Borongan City
• Eastern Samar: Guiuan, Hernani, Julita, and Salcedo
• Leyte: Abuyog, Albuera, Barugo, Capoocan, Carigara, Isabel, Kananga, La Paz, Mahaplag, Matag-ob Padre Burgos, Palo, Paompon, Saint Bernard, Tabontabon, Tanauan
• Ormoc City
• Tacloban City
• Southern Leyte: Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Macrohon, San Ricardo, Silago, Sogod, Tomas Oppus
• Maasin City
• Calbayog City
• Samar: Pansanghan, Tagapul-an
• Biliran: Culaba

Central Visayas

• Cebu: Daanbantayan, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Madrilejos, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, Bogo City, San Francisco, Consolacion, and Tabogon

Western Visayas

• Capiz: Pontevedra, President Roxas, Sapian, Altavas, Ivisan, Mabusao, and Roxas City
• Masbate: San Fernando and San Jacinto
• Romblon: Bachawan, Espana, San Agustin, Santa Maria, Cambalo, Cajidiocan Marigondon, Azarga, Cambijang, Bagay, Magdiwang, Sablayan, Tobigon, and Hinagungan
• Aklan: Buruanga, New Washington, and Kalibo

Globe explained Sunday that its service interruption was caused by its forced shutdown of its base station facility in Gisogo, Giporlos, East Samar which affected mobile coverage in 34 sites in several municipalities in the province.

The forced shutdown was a preemptive measure which was approved by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company (PLDT), the parent company of networks Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular, is expected to make an announcement on the extent and details of its restoration work in its network facilities in several provinces in the Visayas.

So far, it only said that restoration work “is in full swing in Eastern Visayas with more base stations initially affected last Sunday (December 7) now running.”

PLDT said its subscribers in Mindoro and Batangas may experience poor network coverage as  services were affected by electric outages and misalignment of their cell sites due to strong winds. – Rappler.com