Free public WiFi services were rolled out across several earthquake-affected areas in Mindanao to restore connectivity for residents and support emergency communications in hard-hit communities.
Free WiFi sites have been activated by PLDT Enterprise in General Santos City, Sarangani, Glan, Jose Abad Santos, and parts of Davao Occidental, providing internet access to thousands of residents displaced or affected by the quake.
In partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), PLDT also installed Starlink-powered broadband systems in key government facilities and critical healthcare institutions, including Malungon Provincial Hospital and Sarangani Provincial Hospital, to ensure continuous connectivity for emergency response operations.
The free service is open to all mobile users, allowing subscribers of Smart, TNT, Globe, TM, and DITO to connect regardless of network provider. DICT officials reported stable connectivity with speeds exceeding 100 Mbps in deployed sites, enabling access to online services, communication channels, and disaster-related information.
“In times of crisis, our objective is to help as many people as possible,” said PLDT Chief Operating Officer Butch Jimenez.
“Providing WiFi connectivity to any and all affected Filipinos is our goal,” he added.
PLDT and Smart also reported ongoing network restoration efforts in affected provinces, with more than 90 percent of damaged sites already restored. Full recovery is targeted within the week as repair teams continue field operations in remaining impacted areas.