Quake-hit areas in Negros Oriental get free calls

Earthquake site in Negros Oriental. AFP

In response to the strong earthquake that hit parts of the Visayas on Monday, wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. has set up Libreng Tawag stations where residents of the hardest-hit areas in the province of Negros Oriental can make free phone calls.

Company personnel have been deployed to the Guihulngan National High School and the City Hall in Guihulngan City to provide communications support to the local government’s search and rescue operations. A Libreng Tawag station has also been set up at the evacuation center in Tayasan town.

“Our free call operations enable the people to contact relatives and loved ones to reassure them of their safety and to seek assistance,” said PLDT-Smart public affairs head Mon Isberto.

Smart’s network facilities in the earthquake-affected areas of Western and Central Visayas have not been damaged and its mobile phone and broadband services are operating normally.

Facilities in areas where electricity has been cut are now operating on emergency power.