BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – In response to recent internet service disruptions affecting subscribers in the city, the city government is exploring the possibility of requiring telecommunications companies to provide refunds for downtime.
Mayor Jerry Treñas directed the City Legal Office to study the legal grounds for compelling telcos to compensate residents for the days when internet services were unavailable.
“Reliable internet connectivity is essential in today’s generation, and our residents deserve uninterrupted service for their work, education, and daily activities,” said Treñas.
He assured the public that the city government is committed to protecting consumer rights and ensuring fair compensation for service interruptions.
PLDT’s response
Mayor Treñas confirmed receiving a written apology from PLDT regarding the service interruptions caused by the Calle Real aerial clearing operations.
PLDT assured the mayor that most affected areas have been restored and that the remaining services would be fully operational as of yesterday.
Dennis Macapagal, head of PLDT’s Panay/Palawan operations division, explained that replacing old fiber cables with higher-grade fiber in southern Calle Real was more complex than anticipated. Despite prior preparations, the process caused temporary outages.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to your constituents,” Macapagal stated, adding that PLDT crews are on-site to address any unforeseen issues and complete restorations.
DICT’s temporary solution
Treñas also acknowledged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for providing temporary internet connectivity to government offices in Plaza Libertad during the disruptions.
“I would like to personally thank the DICT for this positive initiative. However, this is not a permanent solution,” Treñas said, urging telcos to expedite restoration and ensure reliable service moving forward.
The mayor reiterated the importance of a long-term resolution, emphasizing the critical role of internet services in daily life and public service delivery./PN