BANGUED, Abra – The Department of Information and Communication Technology reported restoration of telecom network operations is ongoing in the province following the onslaught of Typhoon Egay on July 25 to 27.
During the emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on July 27, DICT Provincial Officer Rufino Cabato relayed the situation of telecommunication companies in the province.
While Globe network connection was restored in Bangued, many are still experiencing fluctuating network signals.
Most towns are also having connection difficulties, especially the Globe users. There are six Globe sites for restoration in the province – Danglas, La Paz, Lagayan, Malibcong, San Quintin and Licuan-Baay, Cabato reported.
Provincial Administrator and Incident Commander Michael Ronald Bersamira said local disaster risk reduction and management councils rely on Internet and telecom connection to transmit situation reports as well as damage from their respective areas.
To boost the available communication capability at the Abra Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center, the DICT deployed a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) equipment.
This will facilitate communication on the situation and needs of the province for assistance and necessary actions.
Cabato said in addition to the VSAT equipment, the DICT is also deploying one unit of a generator set, five units of Globe LTE modems, one satellite phone, and two units of VHF handheld radios.
Abra is among the provinces that suffered heavy damage from Typhoon Egay.
The PDRRMC reported as 9 p.m. of July 27, there are at least 41,627 or 161,630 individuals affected by the typhoon in the province.
Damage on infrastructure and agriculture and other facilities are still being consolidated. The province was declared under state of calamity by virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 143, s. 2023 approved by Gov. Dominic Valera. – Christian Allister Tubadeza
