PLDT, Smart Extend Aid to North Luzon Communities as Typhoons Nika and Ofel Threaten

PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) closely monitor the situation in Northern Luzon as Tropical Cyclone #NikaPH and the developing Tropical Depression #OfelPH approach the region. These storms follow a series of powerful typhoons, including #JulianPH, #KristinePH, #LeonPH, and #MarcePH, which have already caused significant damage to the area.

“The Group has prepositioned teams and resources for response efforts once the storms have passed. In the meantime, relief packs have been distributed to vulnerable populations in affected areas, including the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and others in need,” said Cathy Yang, FVP & Group Head for Corporate Communications, PLDT & Smart.

In the spirit of malasakit, the foundations and CSR units of companies led by Manny V. Pangilinan, under the banner of Tulong Kapatid, have also come together to reach hard-hit communities.

PLDT, Smart, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc. (AKFI), Cignal TV, Landco Pacific Corporation, Makati Medical Center Foundation, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, One Meralco Foundation, TV5, and other partners have provided essential relief items such as food packs, sleeping kits, clothing, linen, hygiene kits, water, solar lamps, and medicines such as doxycycline and paracetamol to affected communities and employees. Through the past four typhoons, PLDT group assistance, in the form of communication as aid and relief packs was deployed by teams on-ground.

All these efforts are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The State Weather Bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has reported the center of Typhoon #NikaPH was located at 100 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora, and moving West Northwestward at 20 kph with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.