The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has directed its regional offices nationwide to coordinate with government agencies and private sector groups in supporting public safety and emergency assistance operations during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

In a memorandum issued on Friday, October 30, NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez instructed regional directors to work with local government units, law enforcement agencies, disaster risk reduction offices and emergency response units in their respective areas.

The directive aims to ensure effective communications and coordination among agencies as millions of Filipinos are expected to visit cemeteries, memorial parks and other places to pay tribute to deceased relatives.

Regional offices were also ordered to monitor the operations of Civic Action Groups and Amateur Radio Groups, including their assigned routes, personnel locations, assistance posts and radio base stations throughout the Undas period.

The NTC said it would coordinate with telecommunications service providers when necessary to address reported service problems and help maintain reliable communications, particularly in areas expected to see increased public activity and mobile network traffic.

The commission also urged the public to observe safety advisories, take note of local emergency hotlines, keep mobile phones charged and maintain contact with family members. It reminded the public to use available communication channels responsibly, especially when requesting emergency assistance.

PLDT Enterprise presented satellite internet powered by Starlink, Internet of Things technologies, private mobile networks and cybersecurity services to businesses and government institutions in the Zamboanga Peninsula at its Enterprise Connectivity Forum Zamboanga on September 29, 2026, at Palacio Del Sur of Marcian Garden Hotel.

The event, the first PLDT Enterprise Wireless Summit dedicated to Zamboanga Peninsula businesses, gathered 75 participants representing the fishing, agriculture, hospitality, education, manufacturing and government sectors.

Among those represented were the Philippine National Police, the Department of Information and Communications Technology Region IX, Ateneo de Zamboanga University and West Metro Medical Center.

PLDT Enterprise presented fiber broadband for fixed business locations, wireless connectivity for mobile operations and satellite internet for areas where terrestrial networks may be difficult to deploy.

As an authorized Starlink reseller in the Philippines, the company offers satellite connectivity as a complement to its fiber and wireless services.

“For Zamboanga businesses, connectivity requirements can vary widely, especially when operations extend beyond traditional office locations. We want customers to have practical options they can match to their people, sites, and day-to-day needs,” said Josh Montecillo, Head of Enterprise and International Wireless Product Management at PLDT Enterprise.

The forum also highlighted potential applications of connected technologies for local industries.

For the fishing industry, connectivity and IoT-based monitoring systems could help operators track assets, monitor equipment and coordinate activities across multiple locations.

In agriculture, connected sensors could help farmers gather information on environmental conditions and equipment performance.

For hotels and resorts, stable connectivity supports online reservations, digital payments and guest services, while schools could benefit from dependable campus networks and manufacturers could use dedicated connectivity infrastructure.

PLDT Enterprise also introduced Mobile Private Network solutions, which provide organizations with dedicated mobile network infrastructure for selected operations, giving enterprises greater control over network access, performance and security configurations.

The company also highlighted IoT solutions that allow organizations to collect and monitor information from connected devices and assets, and cybersecurity services to help organizations manage digital risks.

“Zamboanga has a diverse business community, from fishing and agriculture to hospitality, education, government, and manufacturing. Our focus is to understand what local customers need and help them use technology in practical ways that can support their operations and growth,” said Jiggs Calixto, AVP and Mindanao Customer Relationship Management Head at PLDT Enterprise.

PLDT Enterprise did not disclose during the forum how many Zamboanga businesses have adopted the solutions presented, the expected cost of deployment or specific performance improvements achieved by existing customers in the region.

PLDT Enterprise is the corporate business arm of PLDT, providing fixed-line, wireless and information and communications technology services to businesses and institutions across the Philippines.