PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has enhanced its network services in Ormoc City to support its local government’s campaign, led by Mayor Richard Gomez, against COVID-19.

After launching Ormoc’s Covid Ligtas Center located in Brgy Dolores last May 20, the Ormoc City LGU has quarantined over 700 returnees and Covid patients, according to Mayor Gomez. “Connectivity is very important, especially for our fellow Ormocanons who are at the isolation area in Brgy Dolores,” he said, adding that technology and connectivity are also vital to their overall Covid-19 response. 

Smart has rolled out Multi-Element On Wheels (MEOW) equipment at the city’s COVID-19 quarantine facility to ensure that persons isolated there can stay in touch with their families.

“Ormoc City is also maximizing the use of technology and connectivity amid Covid-19. We use it in communicating with our people in our offices, with the Covid Ligtas Center, and the port areas and airports in Tacloban. We are also able to disseminate vital information to our people, making our work easier, faster and more efficient,” the Mayor added. 

Previously, Smart also extended communications assistance for Ormoc’s COVID-19 efforts by donating load SIM cards, Smart Bro pocket wifi units and COVID-19 Advisory and Awareness signage. This also includes support for Ormoc’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services or Lamdag Ormoc under the City Health Department.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support local governments like Ormoc City in their fight against the virus,” said Jane Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. “We have been doing this by ensuring that their COVID-19 facilities are equipped with reliable connectivity, enabling them to better care for their constituents during these trying times,” she added.

“We mobilized our network field personnel in compliance with the government’s quarantine protocols, following border controls and obtaining medical clearances, to provide connectivity at the Covid Ligtas Center,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT-Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering.

COVID-19 assistance

This is the latest in PLDT-Smart’s ongoing efforts to provide communications support to local government units, frontline agencies and their personnel amid the nationwide COVID-19 response.

PLDT-Smart have likewise extended communications assistance to various LGUs, the Department of Health, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine General Hospital, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Department of Transportation by donating SIMS, load cards, smartphones and Wi-Fi kits to provide for the connectivity of their frontliners, among others. 

It also previously rolled out MEOW equipment at the San Lazaro Hospital, one of the DOH’s primary COVID-19 facilities in Manila, to augment its network services in the hospital.

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