PLDT inaugurates first disaster recovery facility in Clark

MANILA, Philippines — Leading digital business solutions provider ePLDT Inc. has launched the first stand-alone disaster recovery (DR) facility in the country that will help Philippine companies continue operations through disasters and calamities.

The VITRO Clark DR Site, strategically located beside the VITRO Clark Data Center of ePLDT and boasting a floor area of almost 7,000 square meters in Clark Field, Pampanga, was activated Tuesday night by top officials of PLDT Inc., ePLDT Inc., PLDT Clarktel, Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Through the world-class facility, the ePLDT Group vows to support the business continuity efforts of enterprises in the country, offering services such as data backup and alternative office spaces. Enterprises interested in fortifying their disaster recovery plans can choose from the facility’s dedicated or shared seats – with the former providing companies with an office space that mirrors their current headquarters, and the latter providing a more cost-efficient space, shared with other tenants. 

While the site can initially house 246 DR seats, it is set to expand to over 2,300 throughout its continued development, with the mission of becoming the top-of-mind backup facility for enterprises.

Likewise, it also boasts of the same signature features of ePLDT’s VITRO Data Centers, such as its being seismic zone 4-compliant, making it able to withstand earthquakes of up to intensity 8; its N+1 Genset Configuration, ensuring the operational continuity in the event of power failures, and its 24/7 security and customer support. 

“We at ePLDT recognize that disaster recovery is a top priority for our customers, which is why we are fortifying our capabilities to ensure that we provide them with the means to safeguard their operations at all costs,” said ePLDT president and CEO Jovy Hernandez. 

“With the launch of our VITRO DR site in Clark, we make it easier for our customers to enable their business continuity and resiliency plans. This is in line with our mission of simplifying the complex for our customers,” he added.

Al Panlilio, ePLDT chairman of the board, said the launch of the site is in fulfilment of the PLDT Group’s mission of nation-building. 

“We have always believed that our business goes beyond ICT and digital services. We’re providing our customers with solutions that will improve their operations and, in turn, allow them to better serve their customers and our society as a whole,” he said. 

“This initiative is but a testament to that commitment – allowing us to provide true end-to-end support for our customers, no matter the circumstance,” Panlilio reiterated. 

The establishment of the DR facility in Clark by ePLDT is also a vote of confidence in the continued emergence of Clark, which boasts of having several business and transit hubs such as the Clark Special Economic Zone, Clark Freeport Zone and Clark International Airport.

Clark was also cited by the government as a recovery site in the national contingency plan, making it an ideal location for the DR site.

Digital giant PLDT noted that through the years, their group has stayed at the forefront of laying the infrastructure necessary for Clark to adopt newer technologies and accommodate even more businesses, with the establishment of their VITRO Data Center facility in Clark, which is first of its kind throughout the Central Luzon area, and the deployment of the country’s first 5G network.