Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) continue to expedite network restorations in the hardest hit areas in the Visayas in support of relief operations as well as to provide vital communications services.

To date, Smart has already restored 88 percent of its network coverage in affected cities and municipalities in the region.

So far, cellular services have been fully restored in the provinces of Antique, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Southern Leyte.  Meanwhile, restoration works are underway in the provinces of Iloilo (96 percent), Northern Samar (95 percent) and Western Samar (91 percent).

Smart and DMPI continue to make use of satellite telephony to augment communications services in areas where network services are still being restored.  The portable Vodafone Instant Network is currently providing voice and SMS coverage in Palo, Leyte, which is the temporary operations center for relief in Leyte, and in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, where Super Typhoon Yolanda first hit landfall.

Meanwhile, Smart and DMPI continue to offer free calls and text services in the following Libreng Tawag Stations:

1. Antique
   • Culasi
2. Biliran
   • Naval
3. Cebu
   • Mactan Air Base
4. Eastern Samar
   • Immaculate Concepcion High School. Guiuan (across Municipal Hall)
   • Municipal Hall, Dolores
   • Municipal Hall, Hernani
   • Municipal Hall, Maydolong
   • Municipal Hall, Quinapondan
   • Viva Commercial Center, Guiuan
5. Iloilo
   • Jesus Colmenares District Hospital, Brgy Malbog, Balasan, Iloilo
   • Municipal Hall, Batad
   • Municipal Hall, Estancia
6. Leyte
   • Palo Municipal Hall
   • Tanauan
7. NCR
   • Villamor Air Base
8. Negros Occidental
   • PLDT Office, Escalante City
   • PLDT Office, Sagay City
9. Western Samar
   • Basey

Residents may also proceed to the following locations for Libreng Charging:

1. Aklan
   • Smart Cell Site, Old Buswang, Kalibo
2. Bantayan Island, Cebu
   • Smart Cell Site, Poblacion, Bantayan
   • Smart Cell Site, Poblacion, Madridejos
   • Smart Cell Site, Poblacion, Sta Fe
3. Ormoc City
   • Smart Retail Store
4. NCR
   • Villamor Air Base