PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications are preparing for possible volcanic eruptions in three areas in the Philippines.
The telcos said they have pre-positioned mission-critical equipment and personnel as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised alert levels over Mount Kanlaon in Negros Occidental and volcanoes Mayon in Albay and Taal in Batangas.
PHIVOLCS reported more frequent seismic activities in these areas and has raised the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 on Thursday.
“Our network operations teams are already pre-positioned and prepared for deployment to affected areas should the situation escalate and affect our service,” said Cathy Yang, first vice president and head of group corporate communications at PLDT and Smart.
PLDT and Smart’s network and operations teams will remain on full alert in case of increased volcanic movements.
Field operations responders within the area are also ready to be deployed, complete with personal protective equipment, along with PLDT and Smart’s contractors for possible reinforcement.
In 2022, PLDT and Smart provided Ligtas Kits to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management offices of Albay and Batangas to help them prepare for emergencies.
The Ligtas Kit is an all-in-one communications package that provides quick support to people in times of disaster. It also includes emergency communications training to build capacity among communities.
PLDT and Smart urged everyone to take necessary precautions, activate their emergency cell broadcast system on their mobile devices, and heed the alerts and warnings of local governments and disaster response authorities.
