Telcos fast-tracking restoration of damaged infra; Smart reports 99% connectivity

Executives of Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company today, Dec. 31, said they have restored 70 percent of their internet service and assured Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the people of Bacolod it will be fully operational again in, at least, a month’s time.

Smart Communications, on the other hand, disclosed that it is faced with connectivity issues as well nationwide because of an international cable fault in Singapore and Hong Kong and the damaged submarine cables in the Visayas triggered by super Typhoon Odette but luckily for Bacolod, which was then placed under Signal No. 3 at the height of the storm, its system was hardly affected and is currently up by 99 percent.

Smart’s remaining 1 percent problem is in the Bata area because (CENECO) power is not yet up, explained Yvette Paderna, the company’s Negros-Panay Operations area ahead.

DITO Telecommunity area cluster manager Carlo Reyes said his firm is also addressing similar connectivity issue but added that their contractor is currently working to fix the damaged Dumaguete-Cebu submarine cable.

“Thank you for coming over when we’re supposed to be spending the holiday already. I realized that connectivity has become so important and indispensable. How we wish everything is restored back to where it should be,” said Leonardia, who called for a conference that was also attended by some BPO firm representatives.

Also in attendance were Jose Taniongon, acting general manager of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, as well as local government department and unit heads, and Emergency Operations Center-Task Force’s Dr. Chris Sorongon and former City Administrator Em Ang, who initially presided over the meeting held at the MassKara Hall of the Bacolod City Government Center.

Rachelle Villarosa, Globe’s business development manager, allayed the concern of Leonardia and Executive Assistant George Zulueta that the city’s Electronic Business One-Stop Shop or the E-BOSS, which kicks off Monday, Jan. 3, at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central may be affected due to connectivity issue.

Globe, a subsidiary of the Ayala Group, is the service provider of Capitol Central.

Villarosa gave the assurance that it will closely coordinate with the mall management to find out its needs for the E-BOSS program as it serves as host of the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office and all units involved in the annual renewal of business licenses and permits.

Villarosa said she cannot give a specific timeframe as to when Globe will be able to restore its system 100 percent but said that the company is doing its best effort to restore it soonest.

The Globe official also that they have to bring in additional manpower from Luzon, Iloilo and Cebu to hasten restoration efforts.

Armel Malijan, PLDT’s Negros-Siquijor head, echoed Villarosa’s assurance, adding that his company’s system is currently between 70 to 80 percent.

Zulueta said connectivity is key in the issuance of permits and licenses as it shortens the process if all requirements are met by applicants.

Permits and licenses are immediately released right there and then if Internet connection works efficiently, he explained.* (Bacolod City PIO)