The MVP Group has expanded its relief operations in Northern Luzon as floods brought about by Typhoon Ulysses submerged the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela.

MVP Group’s umbrella corporate social responsibility initiative Tulong Kapatid (TK) has so far distributed at least 18,500 relief packs to affected residents from various provinces hit by the series of storms in as many weeks— from this year’s most powerful storm in the world Rolly (international name: Goni) to Ulysses (international name: Vamco), which flooded communities in Isabela and Cagayan.

In a tweet, MVP Group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan assured his fellow Filipinos of continued support and assistance. “We carry on with our relief operations in Cagayan, providing communication aid where needed. Tuluy-tuloy po tayo sa paghahatid ng tulong at pag-asa sa mga kababayan. We’re here for you through thick and thin.”

Tulong Kapatid’s CSR units join forces

One of TK’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) units PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) donated at least 8,500 relief packs containing food and water to help affected families with their basic needs. The distribution is still underway, especially in the hardest hit communities in Cagayan and Isabela. PSF also turned over 1,100 relief packs to Tuguegarao Mayor Jeffrey Soriano and Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba.

Another TK CSR unit Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc., through TV5 Network, responded to the plea of thousands of affected residents in Cagayan and Isabela, by sending over 2,000 relief packs to hard-hit areas including Ilagan, Cauayan, Santiago, and Tuguegarao.

To ensure that critical communication services are available, Smart has also set up free calls, free charging, and free Wi-Fi stations in different parts of Isabela, Cagayan, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan.

Relief operations in Bicol, Marikina, and Rizal carry on; MVP highlights “malasakit”

Still reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly and Ulysses, the MVP Group is also making sure that relief efforts in Bicol, Marikina, and Rizal continues, Smart has also put up free calls, free charging, and free Wi-Fi stations in various parts of Marikina City, Montalban, Albay, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.

Meanwhile, the Manila Electric Company and PLDT-Smart technical teams have resumed repairs in the remaining areas in Bicol still without power and telecommunication services following the series of typhoons in the past two weeks.

Pangilinan also expressed his gratitude to those leading the relief and repair operations. “We salute you, our brave men and women across the MVP Group, for tirelessly helping our fellow kababayans. In a pandemic, that is heroism. Salamat po sa inyong malasakit.”

To provide vital communication services in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications is giving free data and text/call credits to over 12 million affected Smart and TNT customers in Metro Manila and Luzon.

It had earlier provided similar efforts to customers in Southern Luzon, impacted by Super Typhoon Rolly. Sun Prepaid subscribers, which were recently rebranded to Smart Prepaid, also received the free credits.

"We will implement all viable means to support our countrymen and keep customers connected during these times," says PLDT-Smart FVP & Group Head, Corporate Communications Cathy Yap-Yang. "Our goal is to keep everyone connected, as we restore telco services disrupted by the passage of typhoons."

As of November 13, 2020, Smart says its mobile services in affected areas have been restored except in Marikina, Tarlac, and Bulacan where repairs are still ongoing.

To help affected residents connect with their loved ones, Smart has also set up communication services as a form of aid: Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng Wifi stations in Marikina, Valenzuela, Rizal, Aurora, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur while Libreng Tawag and Charging sites are also up in Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Tuguegarao City. Roving Wifi stations are also positioned in Albay and Sorsogon to provide free calling, charging and wifi services, as well as Libreng Load to affected customers. These services will also be available in other typhoon-hit areas after #UlyssesPH passes.

Smart had also extended communication support to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) and the local government unit of Marikina.

PLDT and Smart have set up a crisis command center to better communicate with customers. The platform will enable PLDT-Smart to quickly relay critical information about its services in the wake of Typhoon Ulysses.

Meanwhile, Smart has resumed the last mile of restoration activities in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Albay as Typhoon Ulysses weakens and moves further away from the country.