PLDT, Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have reconnected more areas in the Visayas and Mindanao after the onslaught of super typhoon #OdettePH.
In Mindanao, restoration of wireless services is nearly complete at 96% while fixed services are almost fully restored at 99%. But major restoration activities are still ongoing in Surigao del Norte including Siargao, Misamis Oriental and Dinagat Islands.
For Visayas, 85% of wireless services have been restored while fixed services are up at 69%. Major areas for restoration remain in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Negros provinces. The prolonged delay in resuming commercial power supply in Cebu and difficulty in procuring fuel for gensets to power up telco facilities are stalling the speed of restoration in the Visayas.
Customers receive reprieve
In the wake of connectivity disruptions brought on by typhoon Odette, PLDT is giving bill rebates and its wireless unit Smart is crediting calamity load assistance to severely affected customers in Visayas and Mindanao.
Impacted customers in Visayas and Mindanao will not be required to pay for any service fees incurred during the days they experienced connectivity disruptions during typhoon Odette. Furthermore, there will be no disconnection of service due to non-payment until January next year, and the rebate that we will credit will be reflected in customers’ January/February 2022 billing.
The move is part of PLDT group’s efforts to make it easier for severely affected customers to get back on their feet following the onslaught of Odette. PLDT customers eligible to receive bill rebates will be notified via SMS. Smart is currently giving calamity load assistance to those most severely impacted in Visayas and Mindanao.
