TELCO companies were quick to announce giving assistance to Filipinos in the earthquake stricken country of Taiwan.

PLDT said their customers can now call their loved ones for free through their Smart Virtual Numbers (SVN). Powered by PLDT Global, SVN subscribers can update family and friends in the Philippines of their situation, through their Smart, TNT or PLDT landline numbers. Non-SVN subscribers are also encouraged to register to tinbo.ph and get their free SVN numbers to avail of this service.

“In times of crisis, we are here to help by providing our fellow Filipinos affected by the earthquake in Taiwan ways to reach their families or even government services through our services,” Albert V. Villa-Real, PLDT Global President and CEO said.

Filipinos in Taiwan can also reach the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Helpline 1348 for free via TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing), the one-stop online marketplace for global Filipinos.

For Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) they are providing data load assistance to all Smart and TNT roaming customers in the affected country. 

“We understand the importance of access to information and communication especially during a disaster. We are praying for the safety of our fellow Filipinos in Taiwan as we continue to monitor this crisis,” Shing Dimagiba, Smart Vice President for Postpaid and International Roaming Business said.

Smart and TNT roaming customers will receive free roaming data load assistance for three days in Taiwan that they can use to contact their families or the authorities to report their situation.

Roaming customers in Taiwan simply need to turn on their phones and connect to Smart’s network partners to use this free service. They will receive a text message with instructions that they can easily follow.

Globe likewise offered free roaming services to Filipinos in Taiwan following powerful quake

Globe said this include roaming call, text and data services.

To help them get in touch with loved ones or make emergency calls, Globe postpaid and prepaid customers and TM users currently using roaming services in Taiwan will get free 15 minutes of incoming and outgoing calls, 15 texts to all networks, and 1GB data (whichever service is currently available) good for 7 days at no extra cost. 

To avail of the free roaming service, Globe and TM customers only need to connect to Globe’s roaming partners ⁠Taiwan Mobile and Chunghwa Telecom. The free roaming service offer requires no registration and will be automatically provided to Globe users. A confirmation message will be sent to customers advising them that the free roaming offer is ready for use.  

“Tens and thousands of Filipinos work and live in Taiwan, with thousands more going on a visit annually. We hope that through this immediate connectivity support, we can help our customers there contact their loved ones and cope in the aftermath of this temblor,” Paula Rivera-Castillo, Head of Globe International Business said.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) Facebook page, the Taiwan Ministry of Labor listed 159,480 Filipinos in Taiwan, where 150,666 are overseas Filipino workers. The DMW also posted an advisory on their social media, stating that they have opened a Help Desk for OFWs who may need assistance after the earthquake.