Smart provides 'Libreng Tawag' service to flood-hit barangays

MANILA, Philippines - As more areas were submerged due to monsoon rains, Smart Communications Inc. provided “Libreng Tawag” service to hard-hit barangays to support the communication needs of their residents.

Smart, working with barangay officials, put up Libreng Tawag centers in Rizal, Cavite and various parts of Metro Manila.

Libreng Tawag services were made available in H. Bautista Elementary School for Barangay Tumana evacuees and the Malanday Barangay Hall for Barangay Malanday, both in Marikina; Ynares Gym in Barangay Sta. Ana in San Mateo, Rizal; the Tunasan covered court in Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa; and the Cavite Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite in coordination with employee volunteers and the concerned barangay councils.

A Libreng Tawag station was also set up in Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. Other centers were to be deployed in evacuation centers in Ateneo de Manila, Navotas and Bulacan.

Smart relief operations started in Valenzuela last Monday and more were be undertaken in other areas.

Teams in northern Luzon and other affected areas outside of Metro Manila were also on standby to deploy Libreng Tawag services and relief operations as soon as floodwaters recede.

“Smart’s mobile network continued to operate normally despite the heavy rains. Voice and text services remain operational due to preparations undertaken, including the deployment of standby generators,” said Ramon Isberto, Smart’s public affairs head.

Smart has been keeping constant communications with the Department of Science and Technology and the weather bureau for the safety of its engineers and other employees deployed to critical areas to ensure that service would be uninterrupted, or in some cases, restored soonest.