Globe, PLDT-Smart Restore Telco Services in Areas Hit by Odette

Telecommunications providers Globe and PLDT-Smart said communication lines have been restored in areas hit by Typhoon Odette, hours after the monster storm inundated communities.

As of 6p.m. Friday, Globe said it had restored services in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Bukidnon.

Free charging stations are also available at Shell Station, Borongan City, Eastern Samar and Sebayan Central Elementary School in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

"Globe’s field operations teams in Visayas and Mindanao are continuously working to restore mobile and data services in areas that were affected by Typhoon Odette," the Ayala-led telco said.

PLDT-Smart meanwhile said it has restored wireless services "in most parts of Mindanao."

For Smart subscribers, the Pangilinan-led telco said SMS and mobile internet services have been up since Saturday morning in most parts of Mindanao.

PLDT-Smart said it was deploying technical teams to Siargao--one of the hardest-hit areas of the storm--to assess damage in the area and immediately begin restoration activities. Repairs are also ongoing in affected sites in the Visayas and Palawan.

"PLDT and Smart assure customers round-the-clock repairs, until all services have been fully restored," it said.

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At least 18 people perished during the onslaught of Odette, the strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year. The monster typhoon smashed windows, flooded communities, and prompted the evacuation of thousands a week before Christmas.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit victims of the typhoon this weekend.