Article by:
Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – Telecommunications companies Globe and PLDT-Smart on Monday announced the deployment of free call hubs at local stores in the Philippines to help Filipinos reach their loved ones in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict.
In a statement, Globe announced the rollout of “hotline hubs” in Globe stores that would allow families in the Philippines to reach their loved ones overseas if they don’t have access to personal mobile phones, telephones, or international calling services.
“The move aims to support families in underserved communities who may otherwise have limited means of contacting loved ones abroad during times of uncertainty,” it said.
The service is available at Globe stores in malls and other commercial establishments nationwide.
On the other hand, PLDT-Smart is also setting up free call stations in select PLDT and Smart stores in major malls across the country.
“This expanded effort builds on the initial order from PLDT Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, who earlier instructed the Group to activate emergency communication support for Filipinos in affected countries,” it said.
The free call hubs are in addition to other free services for Filipinos in the Middle East, with Globe offering a complimentary roaming package of 15 minutes of incoming or outgoing roaming calls, 15 SMS, and 1 GB of data, all valid for seven days from the time of activation.
Globe also offered prepaid/TM load credits and postpaid bill adjustments to customers in Iran and Iraq.
Meanwhile, PLDT-Smart is offering free calls to the Philippines through its Tindahan ni Bossing (TinBo) mobile app for customers in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE until March 15.
In the Philippines, PLDT Home and Enterprise customers may also continue making free International Direct Dialing (IDD) calls to the Gulf States, Israel, and Iran until March 15, while Smart and TNT users may avail of the same service until March 14.
These services are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to ensure that overseas Filipinos remain in contact with their families, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In response, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Chairman Ella Blanca Lopez told telecommunications providers to assist in maintaining communication lines between Filipinos overseas and their families in the Philippines. (PNA)
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