Cellular connectivity in Masbate and Cebu is almost fully restored following rapid government action and close coordination with telecommunications (telco) providers, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced Tuesday.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed agencies to move “without delay” to bring communications back online in areas hit by recent calamities.
The prompt order, he added, triggered a whole-of-government response that accelerated repair and restoration efforts. “Immediately after the President called the Cabinet to action, we mobilized,” Aguda said during a Palace briefing.
“I’m happy to report that by the end of the day, we expect 100 percent of all affected sites to be operational,” he added.
The DICT worked closely with several agencies to make that happen.
The Department of Energy (DOE) restored power to sites, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) cleared blocked roads to allow technical crews access to damaged towers.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) assisted with logistics and personnel deployment, and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) provided critical support to speed up the process.
“It’s truly a whole-of-government effort,” Aguda said. “We would not have been able to do this without the help of these agencies,” he added.
As of Oct. 6, Globe Telecom and DITO Telecommunity had fully restored their cellular sites in both provinces. Smart Communications, which operates the largest network in the affected areas, is in the final stages of repair.
“Smart is already at 98 percent,” Aguda said. “Given the size of their network, that’s significant progress,” he added. “They’re coordinating closely with us, and I expect them to reach 100 percent before the week ends.”
Beyond immediate restoration, the DICT is also working on long-term solutions to prevent similar disruptions in future disasters. One major initiative under discussion is burying fiber optic cables underground to shield them from damage caused by severe weather.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury, it’s a lifeline, especially during emergencies,” Aguda said. “Our goal is to make our communications infrastructure not just resilient, but disaster-proof,” he added.
The restoration of services in Masbate and Cebu is part of a broader government effort to strengthen disaster response and ensure that vital communication lines remain open when communities need them most.
