DITO Telecommunity connecting Filipinos after Typhoon Odette onslaught in beleaguered localities

Nothing is more crucial than staying connected in times of calamity and DITO Telecommunity has been a lifebelt for many Filipinos who have been massively affected by the recent onslaught of typhoon Odette in the country.

Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, the coordinator of San Beda University-Graduate School of Business, joins relief operations to distribute 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), students, drivers, and municipal employees in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Photos were taken by: Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes

While most mobile services were temporarily rendered unserviceable by the catastrophe, the newly laid out DITO cell towers stood resilient in the beleaguered provinces, except for only six of DITO microsites that were affected.

In particular, residents of Negros Oriental were able to rely on the continuous and strong connection provided by DITO.

One resident from Valencia, Negros Oriental who participated in the relief operations, Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, coordinator of the San Beda University - Graduate School of Business, started distributing 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police, students, drivers and municipal employees.

Using #DitoNaKamisaDITO, #DITONaKami, #DitoTayoSaDITO on social media, recipients expressed their appreciation to the telco for its strong internet speed and reliable connectivity while being economical for as low as Php39 for 3GB, Php99 for 10GB, and Php199 for 25GB.

"What struck me the most is the idea of connecting people and lives during disasters – I’ve really proven that DITO was there,” shared Dr. Viernes.

As government and non-government relief and recovery work began in earnest in the Visayas, DITO also provided 1000 SIM cards to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the AFP Visayas Command and another 250 to the regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management offices for the use of the responders.

This effort is in collaboration with Udenna Foundation's UCare, UShare initiative, a program that aims to feed, protect, and connect the community in the time of COVID, and DITO CME, a majority shareholder of DITO Telecommunity that provides telecommunications, multimedia, and IT services in the country.