Services of Smart Communications, (Smart) continue to operate in areas affected by Typhoon Lando.

Mobile phone services in the areas of Abra, Apayao, Bataan, Batanes, Bulacan, Cagayan, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quirino, Tarlac and Zambales are operational, while restoration work is now under way in the areas of Aurora, Benguet, La Union, Mountain Province and Nueva Ecija, where commercial power supply has yet to normalize.

In parallel with service restoration, Smart is providing communications support to national and local government agencies. To augment existing communication infrastructure, Smart has installed femto cells at the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Command Center in Baguio City to facilitate post-typhoon operations.

Prepositioned Smart equipment and personnel are now being utilized in aid of rescue and relief efforts in the area. Smart has also deployed mobile phones and load, Smart satellite phones, and Sun-powered MyPhone emergency devices to response teams to facilitate post-typhoon communications.

As early as October 17, before Typhoon Lando’s onslaught, Smart sent out SMS and cell broadcasts to Smart and Sun subscribers in affected areas in Northern Luzon. Local government units have also been using the Smart Infoboard, a web-based SMS solution, to send weather bulletins, updates and warnings. This has helped reduce the number of casualties and damage to properties.

“Libreng Tawag” services are still ongoing at Aurora National Science High School, Baler Central School, and Sentro Baler, Aurora; Calanasan Terminal (Centro 3, Claveria) and Barangay Hall (Centro 10, Tuguegarao City) in Cagayan; Aragon Elementary School in Barangay Calauanan; at the evacuation center located at the office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Lagawe, Ifugao; San Vicente Barangay Hall in Ilagan, Isabela; and at the Nueva Ecija National High School. “Libreng Tawag” via Smart Satellite services are also be available at the Municipal Hall and Maria Aurora Multipurpose Hall in Aurora; Dinadiawan Multipurpose Hall and Municipal Hall in Dipaculao, Aurora; Municipal Multipurpose Building and San Isidro Municipal Building in San Luis, Aurora; and at the municipalities of Casiguran, Dinalungan, and Dinalasag.

Additional libreng tawag stations were set up in Poblacion, Candaba, Pampanga; Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School, Baguio City; Dagupan City Astrodome, Pangasinan; Mangatarem Loading Station, Pangasinan; Alaminos Loading Station, Pangasinan; Magtaking Elementary School, Pangasinan; and Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Since October 19, Smart has made available to local residents, power from its cell sites, to enable residents in areas where there is lack of commercial electricity to re-charge their mobile phones. Free charging services for mobile phones batteries are still available in following cell sites in Nueva Ecija: Brgy. San Roque, San Jose City, Munoz; Brgy. Bantug, Munoz; Brgy. Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Baloc; Brgy. Pulong Buli, Sto. Domingo; Brgy. Poblacion (behind municipal hall), Talavera; Poblacion North, Lupao; Poblacion Centro, Pantabangan; Brgy. Sinipit (behind municipal hall), Bongabon.

Charging services were also set up in Marcos Village (beside Iglesia ni Cristo); Siclong, Laur; Brgy. Paltik, Dingalan; Gabaldon town proper and Neust Compound; Cabu, and Bangad in Cabanatuan; Aliaga Poblacion; Brgy. Mambungan, Quezon, San Leonardo; Cuyapo Poblacion; Saranay Disctrict, Guimba; Penaranda Poblacion; San Vicente, Gapan; P Carmen St., San Isidro 1; Brgy. San  Fernando and Brgy. San Roque in Cabiao; Gapan, Balwarte; Brgy. Concepcion, General Tinio; Agbanawag, Llanera; Baler; Maria Aurora; Dipaculao; Brgy. Pinagpanaan, Talavera; Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School, Baguio City; Mangatarem Loading Station and Alaminos Loading Station in Pangasinan.

Free Internet services may also be availed of at the following: Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School in Baguio City; and San Vicente Evacuation Center, Urdaneta, and Dagupan City Astrodome, both in Pangasinan.