DICT aims to restore communication lines in areas hit by ‘Odette’ this month

The Coast Guard reached the isolated Siargao Island in Siargao del Norte to find the airport in this condition.The first landfall of  Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) was in this popular tourist destination on December 16, 2021. —PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday said it is aiming to restore communication lines within the month in areas devastated by Typhoon Odette.

During the Laging Handa briefing, DICT Acting Secretary Manny Caintic was asked when the expected restoration of communication lines in Surigao, including Siargao, and Dinagat Islands would be.

“Du’n ako mismo nung Linggo, sinusubukan matapos ngayong buwan, pinaka-mabilis,” he said.

(I was there last Sunday. We are trying to finish within the month, at the fastest.)

Caintic said the DICT, Department of Energy, and Department of Public Works and Highways are working to restore electricity first in the affected areas.

“Ang una nating inaayos muna ‘yung power, ma-clear muna ang mga natumbang mga poste ng power kasi hanggang hindi ‘yan natin maayos, hindi rin sila makapagkuha ng kuryente,” explained Caintic.

(We are restoring power first, clearing fallen electricity posts because they cannot get power as well.)

“Siguro ngayong linggo namin ‘yan aayusin (We will fix that this week together) with Department of Energy and Department of Public Works [and Highways],” he added.

Caintic likewise said telecommunication companies and internet service providers have deployed engineers on-site.

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