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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – With power and communication lines totally cut-off in different areas northern and central Luzon since Saturday, October 17, due to Typhoon Lando (Koppu), social media was flooded with posts from worried relatives who could not contact their loved ones.
Smart Telecommunications and Globe Telecoms, two of the major mobile networks in the country, have since provided typhoon victims free calls to their families. Free mobile charging centers are also set up in various areas.
Below is a list of areas with “Libreng Tawag” and free mobile charging services as of Friday, October 23:
For Smart network:
| Province | Areas | Free service |
| Aurora | Municipal Hall and Maria Aurora Multipurpose Hall | Libreng Tawag |
| Dinadiawan Multipurpose Hall and Municipal Hall in Dipaculao, Aurora | Libreng Tawag | |
| Municipal Multipurpose Building and San Isidro Municipal Building in San Luis, Aurora | Libreng Tawag | |
| Municipalities of Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dinalasag | Libreng Tawag | |
| Baler, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao | Libreng Charge | |
| Benguet | Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet | Libreng Tawag |
| Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School, Baguio City | Libreng Tawag | |
| Pampanga | Poblacion and Candaba | Libreng Tawag |
| Quezon | Nagtipunan | Libreng Tawag |
| Pangasinan | Mangatarem and Alaminos | Libreng Tawag |
| Magtaking Elementary School | Libreng Tawag | |
| San Vicente evacuation center, San Manuel, Poblacion | Libreng Tawag | |
| Dagupan City Astrodome, Pangasinan | Libreng Tawag | |
| Mangatarem and Alaminos loading stations | Libreng charge |
In Baguio and Pangasinan, Smart also set up internet stations in the following areas:
- Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School in Baguio City
- San Vicente Evacuation Center, Urdaneta
- Dagupan City Astrodome in Pangasinan
For Globe network, the following areas have free call and charging services from 9 am to 7 pm:
| Province | Areas | Free service |
| Aurora | Globe Baler Store – Quezon St. Barangay Suklayin, baler | Libreng Tawag/Charge |
| Brgy. Calantas, Casiguran | Librang Charge | |
| Brgy. Poblacion, Dinalungan | Libreng Charge | |
| Benguet | Valencia’s Place, Bakakeng Norte (Front of SLU Main Gate), Baguio City | Libreng Tawag/Charge |
| Bulacan | Brgy. Cambio / Salacot San Miguel Bulacan (Near Brgy Hall) | Libreng Tawag/Charge |
| La Union | Rosario Public Market, Aquitania cor Estacio St., Rosario | Libreng Tawag/Charge |
| Nueva Ecija | Barangay Hall, Brgy Diversion, San Leonardo | Libreng Tawag/Charge |
| Barangay Hall, Brgy Bayanihan, Gapan | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Barangay Hall, Brgy San Pascual, Talavera | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Barangay Hall, Brgy Sumacab, Cabanatuan City | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Barangay Hall, Brgy Aglipay Rizal | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Pangasinan | Municipal Hall Grounds, Romulo Highway, Poblacion, Aguilar, Pangasinan | Libreng Tawag/Charge |
| Barangay Premecias, Bautista, Pangasinan | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Barangay Magtaking Court, Bugallon | Librang Tawag/Charge | |
| Barangay Hall, Brgy Libsong, Lingayen | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Barangay Hall, Brgy Dulag, Binmaley | Libreng Tawag/Charge | |
| Tarlac | Barangay Hall, Brgy Bantog, San Manuel | Libreng Charge |
“We will continue to bring Libreng Tawag and Charging centers as well as our relief operations to areas which need us most. We are closely working with the respective local government units and humanitarian agencies to get these services up and running as soon as possible,” said Fernando Esguerra, director of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.
Free Mobile Disaster Alerts
While the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act has yet to be implemented, residents in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Northern Quezon, Polillo Islands, and Quirino province were able to receive mobile alerts on Saturday, October 17, a day before the typhoon made its landfall. (READ: NDRRMC advises evacuation in 5 provinces via text blast)
Another wave of mobile disaster alerts, urging residents to take precautionary measures in Aurora province, was sent to Smart and Sun subscribers two days after.
The act requires telecommunication companies to send alerts at regular intervals in the event of an impending tropical storm, typhoon, tsunami, or other calamities.
Donations
Smart has announced that it is also offering a service that will allow its subscribers to participate in relief efforts for Typhoon Lando.
“Smart subscribers can donate to the Philippine Red Cross by texting RED to 4143 (ex. RED 100 to 4143). Donations are accepted in the following amounts: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000,” Smart said in its press statement, Tuesday October 20.
In partnership with Rappler’s Project Agos, Smart subscribers can also help provide vital information and report on-ground situation in their respective areas for free by sending RELIEFPH or RESCUEPH to 2929. – Rappler.com
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