Zubiri to ask telcos: Boost signal in Pag-asa

PAG-ASA ISLAND, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is planning to talk to telecommunications companies to help boost their networks’ signal here.

Zubiri was here on Thursday to lead a simple groundbreaking ceremony for the planned construction of a Philippine Navy barracks and a super rural health unit.

As their group’s plane was approaching Pag-asa Island, some of them received a notification message on their mobile phone, welcoming them to China.

The notification stated, “SMART welcomes you to China. Stay connected with GigaRoam Asia 3GB promo…” Another message stating “SMART welcomes you back to the Philippines! We hope you had an enjoyable trip” was also received as they flew back to Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

Zubiri said he would ask Manny V. Pangilinan of Smart and the Ayalas for Globe to put up facilities that would strengthen the signal of telcos on the island.

He said internet access is very important in everyday life, especially for school children who need to do research on the internet.

“We will appeal to Globe Telecom if they can also put a signal tower in the Kalayaan Group of Islands, particularly here in Pag-asa. And then we will also ask Mr. Manny Pangilinan if they can provide (the same). I will call them as soon as I get home,” Zubiri told reporters here.

He said similar facilities were installed in his hometown in Bukidnon and the telco signal improved. “For us in Bukidnon, I’m in the middle of the valley and there’s really no signal, they lent us a satellite facility, we have a signal in our barangay, we can do that here.”

“We can talk to them to put these facilities immediately, if possible, within the next couple of months in KIG (Kalayaan Island Group) if they can. What we can do is add to the budget in 2025,” the Senate President added.

Zubiri earlier told the China Coast Guard, which has been stationed in the West Philippine Sea about three to four nautical miles from here, “This is ours.”

During the simple groundbreaking ceremony, Zubiri hinted that the Chinese could be listening to him as he delivered his speech.

“Maybe there is a sensitive listening device from there on their (China) ships, I want to say if they are