The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday ordered all public telecommunications entities to be ready for the expected landfall of tropical storm Karding in order to ensure their continued operations and services to the public.
In a memo signed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, the NTC directed telco organizations and companies to “ensure that there is a sufficient number of technical and support personnel and standby generators with extra fuel, tools, and spare equipment in the areas forecast to be affected by the tropical depression.”
In its 5 PM weather bulletin on Friday, PAGASA said TS Karding slightly intensified while moving westward. It is expected to make landfall on the east coast of Northern Luzon or Aurora on Sunday morning.
"You (telcos) are directed to fast track the repair and restoration of telecommunication services in the service areas that will be severely affected by the typhoon," the NTC noted.
The mobile telecommunications operators were also tasked by the NTC to “deploy Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in strategic areas that will be affected by the typhoon.”
“You are also reminded to coordinate with the local government units and observe strict health protocols to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19),” the NTC directive continued.
The commission told the telcos that it will be expecting status updates every six hours on ongoing restoration activities being performed on their networks and facilities and a timeline for the full restoration of service/s.
