Philippine telecommunication companies, Globe and Smart, have partially restored services and are offering free services to help citizens after typhoon Yolanda hit Visayas Friday morning.

According to Smart,

This morning, network services have been restored in the following areas: Cabulihan, Maasin in Southern Leyte and the municipalities of Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Macrohon and Hindang in Leyte; San Carlos, Negros Oriental; Bantayan Island, Cebu; Calatrava, Negros Occidental; Dimiao, Bohol; Badiangan, Ajuy-Culasi, Cabatuan, Anilao, Banate, Maasin, PD Monfort, Janjuay, Sta. Barbara, Leganes, Barotac Nuevo, Pavia, San Miguel, Dumangas, Alimodian, Sta. Barbara, Tiwi, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Dingle, Zarraga, Pototan in Iloilo, and all of Masbate except for Mobo, Cataingan, Palanas, and Pio V. Corpuz.

According to Globe,

Around 26 sites from Calbayog, Samar to northern Samar have been repaired and brought back to operations. Of the total sites affected including those in southern Luzon and Mindanao, 471 sites, or 30% of total affected sites have already been restored. In the Visayas region, close to 20% of all 2G/3G sites affected have been restored.

The telcos have also been setting up Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in various parts of Visayas. These facilities are being powered by heavy-duty generator sets which can easily accommodate the charging of mobile phones.

The companies also said that the “full normalization of service” will depend on the restoration of commercial power as Yolanda also toppled electricity lines. It could take two months to fully restore power in Tacloban, which is the area hit hardest by the storm, according to Department of Energy.

[Source: Philstar, Globe Press Room, Smart Newsroom]