The National Telecommunications Commission on Monday ordered Globe Telecom and Smart Communications to deploy free calls and charging stations for Filipinos affected by Typhoon Rolly.
In a memorandum signed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, the NTC has tasked the country's top two telecommunications firms to offer these free and charging services to Filipinos affected by Typhoon Rolly in areas left with no electricity and those having no means to call their loved ones of their plight.
The NTC also reminded Smart and Globe to observe strict health protocols to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Director Arnold Barcelona of NTC Region IV-A(CALABARZON), Director Ronald Cabute of NTC Region IV-B(MIMAROPA) and Director Ariel Padilla of NTC Region V(Bicol) were tasked by the commission to monitor and oversee the implementation of the NTC memorandum in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Typhoon Rolly left a swath of destruction across the country affecting 125 cities and towns. Some two million Filipinos were in the path of the storm, which also killed 16, most from the province of Albay.
As of Monday, many of the estimated 390,000 evacuees nationwide are in evacuation centers in churches, courts and schools.