Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has made the swift restoration of essential services his top priority following the destructive passage of Typhoon Tino across the region. The mayor, who celebrated his 55th birthday on November 19, 2025, emphasized the urgent need to return normalcy to affected residents.
Essential Services Restoration Efforts
Mayor Gasataya called for accelerated efforts to restore power supply, internet connections, and 24/7 water service to all Bacolodnons impacted by the typhoon. The local government is working closely with utility providers to address the widespread disruptions that have left many residents without basic services.
"Several residents from various barangays had raised concerns over the slow restoration of internet services in their areas," Gasataya acknowledged, highlighting the communication challenges facing the community.
Telecommunications Response and Support Measures
In response to the crisis, one telecommunications company has requested permission to deploy personnel outside the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) to assist customers with service complaints. The mayor revealed that other telecommunication companies have expressed interest in establishing assistance desks at the government center to better serve affected residents.
To support the city's growing community of online professionals and virtual assistants, the local government will extend the free "Co-Working Space" at the BCGC until Friday, November 21, 2025. This initiative, which began on November 12, provides stable internet connectivity through PLDT and Globe Telecommunications, offering a safe and productive working environment for those affected by service outages.
Community Outreach and Support Programs
Beyond infrastructure recovery, Mayor Gasataya participated in community welfare activities, joining the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. (SSFI) event at SM City Bacolod on Wednesday. The program provided gifts to at least 45 indigent children in the city, bringing joy to young residents during challenging times.
The event was led by Ciara Sotto, daughter of Senate President Tito Sotto, who represented her mother Helen Gamboa in partnership with SM City Bacolod. Sotto explained that the SSFI has maintained a yearly tradition since the 1990s of helping underprivileged children across the country.
"We do this every year to bring the kids to the shopping mall and make them happy," Sotto stated, noting that the program specifically selects children aged 5 to 15 who have never visited a shopping mall before.
Gasataya expressed gratitude to the SSFI for choosing Bacolod as a beneficiary of their outreach program, emphasizing the importance of community support during the recovery period following Typhoon Tino's impact.
