The National Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday ordered all telecommunications entities to ensure the sufficiency of the number technical and support personnel and standby generators with extra fuel, tools, and spare equipment in the areas forecast to be affected by the incoming “Typhoon Jolina”.
In a memorandum Order No. 05-04-2011 signed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, the NTC has tasked the country's telecommunications companies to be ready for the typhoon so that they can continue serving the people's communication needs during and after the storm.
The telco firms were also directed to fast-track the repair and restoration of telecommunication services in areas severely affected by the typhoon.
“Further, you are also directed to deploy Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in strategic areas affected by the typhoon. You are also reminded to coordinate with the LGUs and observe strict health protocols to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19),” the memo ordered.
The Commission expects status updates from the telco companies every six hours of ongoing restoration activities being performed on their networks and facilities and a timeline for the full restoration of service.
As reported at 11:00 p.m. on Monday by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Typhoon Jolina has made landfall in the vicinity of Hernani, Eastern Samar.
On Tuesday, at least nine people were reported injured due to the typhoon, which is now classified as a severe tropical storm, while one is still missing in Eastern Samar.
The typhoon also triggered power outages in several areas in the Eastern Visayas including Samar, Eastern Samar, and Leyte.