Globe restores 97% of services in quake-hit Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines – Globe Telecom Inc. has restored connectivity to 31 of the 32 municipalities that experienced network disruptions after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that jolted parts of Mindanao earlier this week.

In a statement, the telco said services are now fully restored in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, South Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

READ: ‘Destructive’ intensity felt after earthquake off Sarangani — Phivolcs

However, Globe said signals remain intermittent in some areas due to commercial power outages affecting telecommunications facilities.

Meanwhile, PLDT Inc. said it had deployed Starlink satellite internet services at the Malungon Sarangani Provincial Hospital and the Alabel Sarangani Provincial Hospital to support emergency response and recovery efforts.

The Pangilinan-led company also said it had begun distributing food packs, potable water and hot meals to affected families through the PLDT-Smart Foundation.

For its part, Globe said it had distributed 200 relief packs in Purok Balite, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City through Ayala Foundation.

READ:Globe taps Starlink-backed service in quake-hit Mindanao

It is also offering free satellite data and satellite SMS to affected subscribers in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani.

Both telcos said they continue to provide free call, charging and Wi-Fi services in quake-hit communities.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which struck 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim, Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, damaged an estimated P666.5 million worth of infrastructure. /pai INQ