NTC to telcos: Offer free calls, charging services amid Tisoy

By: Daphne Galvez - 5 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday ordered telecommunication companies to offer free calls and free charging services in areas severely affected by Typhoon Tisoy.

In a memorandum, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba directed all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to offer “Libreng Tawag” and “Libreng Charging” services in strategic areas, pending the restoration of electricity and telecommunications services in several typhoon-hit areas.

Typhoon Tisoy entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on November 30, Saturday. It first hit land over Gubat, Sorsogon, on Monday night. It made its third landfall on Tuesday afternoon over Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Tisoy was last spotted in the vicinity of Baco, Oriental Mindoro, moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) and packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts of up to 195 kph.

More than 500 flights scheduled December 3, Tuesday, have also been canceled because of the typhoon.

The Legazpi Airport also suffered substantial damage as strong winds and rain pummelled the Bicol region.

Moreover, classes and work in government and courts have been suspended in many parts of the country’s mainland Luzon to ensure the safety of the people amid Tisoy.

Edited by KGA

Number coding lifted from noon of Dec 3 amid Tisoy – MMDA