MANILA – November 14, 2013 – Globe Telecom said on Thursday that close to 70 percent of affected cell sites in Visayas are now up and running following accelerated efforts by the company to restore cellular services in areas hard-hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Globe has so far restored 61 percent of its 3G sites in Antique, 80 percent in Bohol, 71 percent in Cebu, 100 percent in Guimaras, 72 percent in Iloilo, 80 percent in Negros Occidental, 75 percent in Northern Samar, the company said in a press release.
In Tacloban City, the company now has two working cell sites, improving substantially cellular coverage in the typhoon-hit city. The reactivation of its cell site located in Calvary Hill is critical as it will now serve as a link-up to the company’s other cell sites in the city. The company expects to reactivate its other remaining cell sites in the city within the week. Globe also has an active cell site near Maharlika Highway, they said.
In addition to the two cellsites, two units of cellsite on wheels (COW) are expected to be operational soon. One unit of COW has been stationed at the airport to provide mobile connectivity to military and government authorities currently coordinating relief and rescue operations in the city. The second of COW will be stationed within the city proper to further improve mobile connectivity in Tacloban.
Aside from Tacloban City, areas in Leyte where Globe also has restored cellular service include Javier, San Miguel and Ormoc City.
In Southern Leyte, Globe has already restored most of its affected sites, bringing back cellular coverage in the municipalities of Anahawan, Libagon, Liloan, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, Saint Bernard, San Juan, Sogod and Maasin City.
In Western Samar, areas where mobile coverage has been restored include the municipalities of Macrohon, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Zumarraga, Calbayog City and Catbalogan while in Northern Samar, municipalities with cellular coverage include Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, Pambujan and San Roque.
In Aklan, the company has restored its cellular service in Nabas and Malay, including the tourist destination of Boracay.
In Capiz, municipalities with cellular services include Ivisan, Pontevedra and Roxas City. In Iloilo, the following municipalities have mobile coverage: Alimodia, Badiangan, Barolac Nuevo, Cabatuan, Calinog, Passi City, Duenas, Dumangas, Guimbal, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Miagao, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Enrique, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Zarraga and Iloilo City.
In Antique, Globe’s telecom’s mobile service now covers the municipalities of Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Hamtic, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom and Tobias Fornier, In Biliran, services are now up in Alburquerque, Alicia and Anda.
On the other hand, majority of cities and municipalities in Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental have cellular services.
Meanwhile, Globe has expanded its Libreng Tawag operations, establishing another center in Villamor Air Base for refugees coming from typhoon-stricken areas. The company also has a Libreng Tawag center in Barangay Naga-Naga in Tacloban City.
