Batanes connects worldwide
by C.Navarro (Bandillo Batanes)

		The Philippines Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) recently installed four new public calling offices (PCOs) in Batanes to boost its communication link to the rest of the world. There are now PLDT PCOs in Basco, Uyugan, Sabtang and Itbayat. According to PLDT executive vice president Antonio S. Samson, the installations of PLDT
Public Calling Office in Basco

- PCOs in Batanes is in line with PLDT's dream of connecting the country's more than 7,100 islands together and providing them with a bridge to the rest of the world through a modern telecommunications system.

Each PCO in the four towns has two lines each for outgoing and in-coming calls. These are interconnected with PLDT's domestic and international toll networks through its Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Satellite facilities. With the current communication setup, Ivatans can now place national and international long distance telephone calls. On the other hand, calls to residents in Batanes can be accepted on a pre-arranged basis. Under this scheme, the receiver of the call can wait at the PCO on the specified time or the PCO toll attendant can send a messenger to the receiver's house.

In Basco, the PCO is located at the store of Mayor Eric Aberilla in front of the Batanes General Hospital. The one in Uyugan is at the house of Mrs. Esperanza Bartilad. In Sabtang, it holds office at the house of Mr.Valerio Gabilo. And in Itbayat, it can be found at the Itbayat Municipal premises. Since the lines are dependent on the availability of electricity, the lines are open according to the following schedules: Itbayat-6 to 11pm; Sabtang-5 to 11pm;Basco-8a.m. to 4p.m.;Uyugan-12:30 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The PCOs will soon be able to operate during office hours when solar panels will be installed to provide 24 hours power. The solar panels will be funded by the Department of Energy from its 1999 budget. The allotment of P2.25-M for the solar energy project of Batanes was made possibly by Congressman Florencio B. Abad. A memorandum Agreement covering the solar panel installation project is being prepared which will be signed by Governor Vicente S. Gato for the province of Batanes and the DOE.

The calling stations are managed by the Ivatan Foundation for Development Communication, Inc. headed by Mr. Augustus Cataluna as Chairman of the board and Mr. Demetrius Narag as Executive Director.