Sheilla Cajayon Ysug-Lee
A network advisory of service interruption was issued earlier, affecting the city of Zamboanga and its residents. The notification was sent out by the office of the City Government of Zamboanga, informing customers of a planned service outage that would impact their network services especially the calls and SMSs.
As expected, the advisory had a ripple effect on daily life in the city. With the disruption in all connections of network providers Smart Communications, Dito, Globe and PLDT services, many residents were unable to access essential online services, causing inconvenience and disruption to their daily activities.
One of the most notable impacts was on businesses that rely heavily on online operations. Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, as well as larger corporations, were forced to temporarily suspend their operations or work remotely without access to critical online tools and platforms.
Students also felt the effects of the service interruption, as they were unable to access online educational resources and educational platforms. Many were forced to rely on alternative methods, such as printed materials or offline resources, to complete their schoolwork and assignments.
The service interruption also had an impact on the city’s healthcare system, as medical professionals and patients were left without access to online medical records and appointment scheduling tools. This led to delays and inconvenience for those seeking medical care.
However, it’s worth noting that the network provider had given advance notice of the planned outage, allowing residents and businesses to prepare and make necessary arrangements. In a statement, the network provider apologized for any inconvenience caused and assured customers that it was working to restore services as soon as possible.
In the meantime, residents have been advised to utilize alternative means of communication and access online services, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots and offline tools. As the service interruption is temporarily resolved, locals can rest assured that their online connections will be restored, and daily life in Zamboanga City can return to normal.
Riding the Grab Tryke in Zamboanga City, which is also dependent on network services for connection, and income, Grab Tryke drivers were not able to serve the residents in Zamboanga City.
SIGNAL SHUTDOWN is expected on the following dates during the conduct of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2024 activities:
REGATTA AND WOW SARDINAS – 5AM to 1PM
Oct. 6 (Sunday), R.T. Lim Boulevard
DRUM AND LYRE COMPETITION – 3PM to 8PM
October 8 (Tuesday), at the stretch of Mayor Climaco Avenue
STREET DANCE COMPETITION – 3:30PM TO 10PM
October 10 (Thursday), (NOT October 11) from N.S. Valderroza Street – J.S. Alano Street – Mayor Climaco Ave., from BFP to junction San Jose Buenavista – Alejo Alvarez St. – R.T. Lim Boulevard and end at the Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex, Normal Road, Baliwasan.
GRAND PROCESSION – 3PM to 7PM
October 12 (Saturday), from Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to Fort Pilar Shrine.
The City Administrator’s Office advises the public to take note of the signal shutdown schedule, which is based on the request of the City Government to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
This forms part of the security measures put in place by the police and military authorities.
In conclusion, the network advisory of service interruption had a significant impact on daily life in Zamboanga City, affecting businesses, education, healthcare, and other aspects of community life. While the disruption was inconvenient, it serves as a reminder of the importance of advance notice and alternative arrangements to mitigate the effects of service outages.
