Smart offers free calls to survivors of Cebu sea mishap

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc. has set up a Libreng Tawag booth in one of the passenger terminals in Pier 4 in Cebu City to help out the survivors of last Friday night’s collision of a passenger ferry and a cargo ship off Talisay.

Stranded passengers had availed themselves of the free call service from Smart since Saturday morning to tell their loved ones that they were safe. The free service ran until yesterday.

Smart also extended communications support to the Operations Center located at the Talisay City Fish Port, South Road Properties through National Telecommunications Commission regional director Jess Laureno. A second Libreng Tawag station was set up in the area yesterday.

Hundreds of passengers were rescued through the collaborative effort of the shipping companies, the Coast Guard and fishermen even as the death toll rose to 34 yesterday, and rescue efforts were ongoing for those who were still missing.

Smart has been putting up Libreng Tawag centers as a public service in places hit by disasters where communications is vital.

Having the most extensive and resilient network all over the country, Smart has proven to be the most reliable partner in these situations.