The National Telecommunications Commission on Friday has called the attention of all public telecommunications entities prepare for the coming tropical depression “Paeng” in order to ensure their steady and uninterrupted operations and services to the public.

In Memo Order No. 05-04-2011 signed by Officer-in-Charge NTC Deputy Commissioner Ella Blanca B. Lopez, the commission is commanding telco organizations and companies 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 depression”.

“As reported at 11:00 p.m. today (26 October 2022) by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), ‘due to the Shear Line and the trough of ‘Paeng’, heavy rains are possible over Visayas, most of Southern Luzon, and the northern and western portions of Mindanao,” the NTC memo read.

‘ Paeng’ (Nalgae), the Philippines’ 16th tropical cyclone this year, is threatening the entire country heading into a long weekend to mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. It is expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm as it approaches Southern and Central Luzon. ‘Paeng’ is expected to make its first landfall in Catanduanes on Saturday, October 29, and its second landfall in Quezon or Aurora on Sunday, October 30. As of this writing, the cyclone is already ravaging the Visayas and Mindanao with heavy rainfall.

The public telcos were also directed by the NTC to fast track the repair and restoration of telecommunication services in the service areas that will be severely affected by the tropical depression.

“Further, you are also directed to deploy Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in strategic areas that will be affected by the typhoon. You are also reminded to coordinate with the LGUs and observe strict health protocols to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19),” the NTC said.

The commission said it will expect status updates every six hours of ongoing restoration activities being performed on the telcos’ networks and facilities, plus a timeline for the full restoration of service.