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Following the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake, the country’s two largest telecommunications firms have ramped up efforts to restore services and deliver support across southern Mindanao. Globe Telecom Inc. reports that services are back in 31 out of 32 affected municipalities. Full restoration has been achieved in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, South Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani. Teams remain on standby in areas with intermittent signal, mostly where ongoing power outages continue to disrupt telecom facilities. The company has also activated special connectivity and emergency support offers in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani. Meanwhile, PLDT Group’s business unit PLDT Enterprise has teamed up with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and local governments to set up Starlink internet in key hospitals. These links are now working at Malungon Sarangani Provincial Hospital and Alabel Sarangani Provincial Hospital, part of the group’s commitment to using communications for disaster response. Through its social outreach arm PLDT-Smart Foundation, the group has started distributing relief goods including food packs, drinking water, and hot meals. Free calls, charging stations, and Wi-Fi are available in General Santos City; Glan, Sarangani; and Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. Smart and TNT users in affected zones have also received emergency load to stay connected. Both companies are coordinating closely with the National Telecommunications Commission, disaster response agencies, local governments, and other partners. Staff are working around the clock to restore services and provide aid, while also ensuring the safety of their personnel and equipment.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has concluded its technical assistance program for the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), focused on advancing energy conservation along Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1).

Acesite (Phils.) Hotel Corp. is taking a step back from plans to reopen the long-shuttered Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel, citing rising reconstruction costs and an uncertain outlook for tourism and gaming revenues. 

The Philippines is on track for a stronger grain harvest this quarter, with palay production projected to rise 5.3 percent from a year ago, although slipping yields suggest farmers are still battling productivity challenges despite expanding planted areas.