The National Telecommunications Commission directed all public telecommunications entities to deploy “Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations” in strategic areas affected by the earthquake in Abra on Wednesday morning.
The areas include Regions 1, 2 and the Cordillera Autonomous Region, all of which sustained damage to public and private structures.
The NTC directive reminded the concerned parties to observe strict health protocols to avoid the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba instructed Director Mildado C. Lee of NTC Cordillera Administrative Region to monitor and oversee the implementation of the memorandum, which was valid until August 5, 2022.
Telecommunications entities were also tasked to submit their reports of compliance on or before August 10 to the NTC.
According to state seismologists, the earthquake, classified as major, was caused by the movement of the Abra River Fault.
The earthquake was measured at a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 by the US Geological Survey (USGS), 7.2 by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and 7.3 by the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The Phivolcs, however, revised the magnitude down to 7.0, but it was still the strongest to have hit the Philippines in years.
At least four people have died and 60 others were injured.