'YOUR services may be affected by a network interruption in your location and nearby areas. Restoration may take up to 36 hours. We will give you an update via SMS to your registered mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.' This was the message that greeted the internet subscribers of PLDT on the morning of March 14, 2024 in a village down south. I am sure that their projected 36 hours of downtime would be exceeded, as usual.

This is becoming a monthly thing with PLDT — without this giant company deducting the corresponding downtime cost from the monthly bills of their distraught subscribers. On Feb. 13, 2024 (exactly a month before March 14), PLDTHome sent this text message to their subscribers: 'There will be a scheduled network upgrade in your area on February 13 from 1:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. You may experience service interruptions during this time. Please restart your modem after the activity. Thanks for understanding.' In actuality, the internet service was restored way beyond the given 5 a.m. time.