Communications restored in Tacloban City

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 11 years ago

This aerial photo taken from a Philippine Air Force helicopter shows the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines, Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Typhoon-ravaged Philippine islands faced an unimaginably huge recovery effort that had barely begun Monday, as bloated bodies lay uncollected and uncounted in the streets and survivors pleaded for food, water and medicine. AP/Bullit Marquez

MANILA, Philippines — Communication lines have been restored in Tacloban days after supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) wreaked havoc in the city, the Department of National Defense said Tuesday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has installed a cellular communication site in the Tacloban City Police Station, allowing inquiries on Yolanda victims and missing persons possible.

The DND said family of Yolanda victims in Tacloban City can reach the police through the following numbers (Area code 053):
CD, TCPO

325-4442
OPERATION BRANCH

325-8808, 520-188, 321-2021
INTEL BRANCH

325-4477
CPSC GATER
520-8666, 321-5133
POLICE STATION 1

323-3449, 523-2510
V & G PCP

327-4413
SAGKAHAN PCP

325 1847
SAN JOSE PCP

323-9211
POLICE STATION 2

321-6968/325-3913

Tacloban City Hall satellite will also be open for inquiries through 09173104288 or 09333672737.

Meanwhile, Globe, Smart and Sun cellular telecommunication services were also restored on Monday, a government release announced Tuesday noon.

The telco giants have established Libreng Tawag (Free Call) services in some areas in Tacloban while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Operations Center in has provided free phone charging services to the affected persons.

On Saturday, the DSWD established a free satellite internet service in front of Tacloban City Hall. As of 12:00 noon Tuesday, the free internet service has served 3,400 persons, including members of media and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Based on the 6 a.m. report of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday, communications interruptions still remain in the following areas: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Cebu (municipalities of northern Cebu and Bogo City), Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Surigao del Norte (municipality of Bacuag).