GOV’T, TELCOS’ SWIFT ACTION IN ‘LAWIN’ HIT AREAS EARNS PRAISE

Thanks to the full blast restoration efforts and proactive action of the government agencies and telecommunications companies, mobile phone subscribers were able to immediately reconnect with their loved ones in areas hit by super typhoon “Lawin” last month.typhoon-lawin.

Mobile subscriber Mark Pascua experienced this first hand when he sought the help of the government through the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center and Hotline when he could not reach his relatives in Solana, Cagayan last Oct. 20 in the aftermath of the powerful storm that had maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 315 kph during its initial landfall.

A day after Lawin made landfall in Cagayan province on the eve of Oct. 19, Pascua asked the Hotline 8888 Special Action Team of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to help him touch base with his relatives as vital connectivity services were suspended because of the damaged transmission lines.hand-cellphone.

Immediately after taking the call, the CSC Special Action Team in turn relayed thru electronic mail Pascua's concern to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for the restoration of the communication tower in Solana town and requested the latter to act on the request soonest. The NTC, in turn, promptly addressed the concern by coordinating with the telcos.

The next day on Oct. 21, NTC's regulation branch director Imelda Walcien, who also happened to hail from Northern Philippines, sent a text message to Pascua to ask if he had already reached his family.

“Hi Mark Pascua. This is a representative of NTC. We take notice of your request for assistance submitted to CSC.  May we know from your end if till this time there is no signal yet to contact your family?  Thanks,” said Walcien’s text message to Pascua.hand-cellphone

Pascua, for his part, replied: “Thank you.  I already had a contact with my family.  Thanks a lot for a quick response.”

NTC said it was also fortunate that the restoration efforts of the telcos in the calamity areas were in full blast at the time when Pascua sought assistance.

In anticipation of the devastating effects of typhoon Lawin, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba as early as Oct. 17 already directed all public telecommunications entities to ensure that there are sufficient number of technical and support personnel and standby generators in areas forecast to be affected by typhoon Lawin.

The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center and Hotline was institutionalized through the Executive Order No. 06 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte only last Oct. 14.

The 24-hour hotline allows citizens to report inefficiencies and corruption in government. The complaints are referred to the concerned government agency for appropriate action.

EO No. 06 requires concerned agencies to come up with a “concrete and specific” action within 72 hours or three days from the receipt of the complaint.

Haier TVs let homes enjoy digital broadcast without a “digi-box”

In three to five years, Philippine television is expected to shift from analog broadcast to digital, said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) last May. The shift promises consistently clear audio-visual quality no matter the distance from the station, on top of having more channels to watch from local networks.

The transition does come with a catch: homes will need to upgrade their analog TV setups. This is currently being satisfied by “digi-boxes,” or external digital tuners, offered by cable providers to subscribers.

For households that are only after local programs, having to pay for an external digital tuner along with cable subscription might be too much for a limited budget. Fortunately, TVs are now being designed to address that possible problem.

“Advances in TV broadcasting shouldn’t become an inconvenience to the average Filipino family,” Haier’s Director of Product Planning for TV and PC Joseph Bandol said. “That is true especially when it comes to the cost. Television is meant to be enjoyed, not cause worry.”

Haier responds to the upcoming transition with the introduction of digital TVs. Designed with a built-in ISDB-T-compliant digital tuner, these new sets not only make the shift less of a hassle, they also come with features for fully immersive entertainment the whole family can enjoy.

Crisp, crystal-clear reception

Unlike their analog counterparts, digital TVs receive signals without degradation or interruption. This means that viewers get to fully enjoy channels that offer shows in high definition with Dolby Digital audio.

To add to image quality, Haier digital TVs are designed with in-plane switching (IPS) panels for the LCD screen along with the latest in picture enhancing technologies. The sleek, two-tone design and metallic strip detail further create a polished, classy look without the high price.

Haier also adds a “Timeshift” feature for those who want to record shows either in real-time or by schedule. This lets families avoid rushing home to catch their favorite programs, with the benefit of getting to watch together for that much-needed quality time.

“Ultimately, Filipinos look forward to quality family time at the end of the day, which is usually spent in front of the TV after dinner,” Bandol added. “This makes the viewing experience important. With a TV that delivers great image and sound quality, families can fully appreciate the rare moments they spend together.”

Haier currently offers two digital TV lines: the B8500 series and the K5000 Smart digital series. Available in 32-, 40-, 50-, and 55-inch screen sizes, the K5000 has a YouTube TV feature for browsing online videos, as well as a Smart Share function that enables users to connect their smartphones to the TV and play media.

All Haier digital TVs come with a two-year warranty on parts and labor.