The National Telecommunications Commission on Wednesday ordered all concerned public telecommunications entities to prepare for tropical depression “Gardo” and the super typhoon “Hinnamnor”.

The NTC sent out Memorandum Order No. 05-04-2011 to public telcos, directing them “to ensure that there are sufficient number of technical and support personnel and standby generators with extra fuel, tools and spare equipment in the areas” forecast to be affected by the tropical and super typhoon.

As reported at 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2022 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), “Hinnamnor” intensified into Super Typhoon at 2:00 p.m. the following day.

PAGASA also reported at 11:00 p.m. that tropical depression “Gardo” has maintained its strength as it moves west southwestward over the Philippine Sea.

Both Hinnamnor and Gardo are not expected to make landfall, but the super typhoon may still affect Northern Luzon due to its size.

Gardo’s trough or extension is expected to bring some rain, along with the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat”.

“You are directed to fast track the repair and restoration of telecommunication services in the service areas that will be severely affected by the typhoon,” the NTC memo continued.

Public telco entities were also tasked “to deploy Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in strategic areas that will be affected by the typhoon,” and reminded “to coordinate with the LGUs and observe strict health protocols to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”

The commission expects status updates every six hours of ongoing restoration activities being performed on the public telcos’ networks and facilities and a timeline for the full restoration of service.