As part of continuing efforts to support the communication needs of COVID-19 frontliners, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. has boosted its network services at the San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) in the City of Manila.

Smart has deployed Multi-Element On Wheels (MEOW) equipment at SLH, one of the Department of Health’s (DOH) primary COVID-19 facilities, which will augment Smart’s LTE, 3G and 2G services in the area.

This recently activated service is the latest in PLDT-Smart’s ongoing partnerships with local government units, hospitals, and government agencies to support frontliners responding to the nationwide COVID-19 emergency.

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“In these difficult times, connectivity is essential. Our commitment during this COVID-19 response is to ensure that our customers are connected with their families and loved ones, especially our frontliners during this critical time,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT-Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering.

Wi-Fi kits

Previously, PLDT-Smart has extended communications assistance to the DOH, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) by donating SIMS, load cards, smartphones, and Wi-Fi kits to provide for the connectivity of their frontliners.

Fast, free and reliable 24/7 Smart WiFi has also been deployed in newly activated facilities for COVID-19 patients, as well as on campuses that are housing COVID-19 frontliners. Carrier-grade Smart WiFi connectivity is also available in provincial capitols, city and municipal halls across the country, which are being used as a base of operations for local government logistics, transportation, and relief, as well as in hospitals, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

PLDT, Smart and ePLDT also developed COVID-19 emergency hotlines in partnership with the DOH and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for Filipinos seeking consultation and forwarding concerns about the disease. The 24-hour helpline may be reached at 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555.