NTC to telcos: Brace for TD Vicky, minimize service disruption

 

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications (NTC) has directed all public telecommunication firms to prepare for the possible effects of Tropical Depression Vicky on communication lines. 

 In an NTC memorandum dated Dec. 18 and signed by Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, all public telecommunication entities were directed “to ensure that there are sufficient number of technical and support personnel and standby generators with extra fuel, tools and spare equipment in the areas forecast to be affected by Tropical Depression Vicky.

 “You are also directed to fast track the repair and restoration of telecommunication services in the service areas severely affected by the typhoon,” the NTC memorandum also read. 

From the National Telecommunications Commission website

 The NTC added that it was expecting status updates from telecommunications firms every six hours on ongoing restoration activities being performed, as well as a timeline for the full restoration of service should Vicky disrupt communication lines. 

 Based on Pagasa’s 8 a.m. weather update, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is up in several areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as Vicky is expected to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Calabarzon, Bicol region, Visayas, Aurora, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and the northern and central portions of Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands. 

Vicky, according to state meteorologists, is now nearing the Cagayancillo islands, and is expected to make landfall over the vicinity of the northern or central portion of Palawan between Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening. 

 gsg