In preparation for the
expected onslaught of Typhoon Ruby, leading telecommunications facilities is
providing critical municipalities with mobile phones and prepaid load which
they can use to offer Libreng Tawag service to affected residents for at least
a week.
At the same time, Globe
has portable generator sets on standby to be deployed to affected areas in case
of power interruption. The said
equipment may be used for Libreng Charging activities to ensure that there will
be a way for the people to get in touch with their friends and loved ones even
without electricity.
“We want to be ready for
any eventuality. We are empowering the
local government units concerned to conduct Libreng Tawag service if the need
arises. We are equipping them with
emergency communication facilities so that they can do this while our security
personnel are focused on ensuring that Globe employees and our systems are safe
and intact,” said Fernando Esguerra, Director, Globe Corporate Social
Responsibility.
Initial areas identified
for Libreng Tawag include Sara and Concepcion, Iloilo; San Jose and Culasi,
Antique; Roxas City and Pontevedra, Capiz; Kalibo and New Washington, Aklan;
Cadiz and Sagay, Negros Occidental; Sibulan and Tanjay, Negros Oriental; Ormoc,
Tacloban, and Maasin, Leyte; Borongan and Guiuan, Eastern Samar; and Bantayan,
Bogo, and Danao, Cebu.
The Libreng Tawag centers
will be ready to serve customers in areas most likely to be hit by Typhoon Ruby
within the critical 72 hours after landfall and will start operating even if
mobile signal is not affected. If there
is a service disruption, the centers will operate as soon as communication
lines are restored.
Globe is also doing the
necessary coordination with various internal groups and local government units
in the path of Typhoon Ruby for possible relief operations.