SMART Communications Inc. (Smart), in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), provided free calls to those affected by the sinking of SuperFerry 9 through Libreng Tawag stations set up in the cities of Zamboanga, Iloilo and General Santos.

Some 900 phone calls were initially reported at the three booths manned by Smart employee-volunteers from the Network and Platforms Services Division, Merchandising, Global Access, Experience Center, Sales, and the PLDT Security Group immediately after the maritime disaster.

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Volunteers from partner organization Integrated Services for Education and Volunteer Efforts Inc. (iServe) assisted in manning the Libreng Tawag station in Iloilo as well.

Smart also provided landlines in support of the "one-stop shop" emergency center established at the Zamboanga City port to meet the communication needs of stranded passengers.

Smart's Libreng Tawag initiative is part of Kabalikat sa Kaligtasan, its disaster-response and emergency preparedness program.

SuperFerry 9 was on its way to Iloilo from General Santos when it sank off the Zamboanga peninsula early Sunday morning.

Philippine Coast Guard reported 957 survivors and at least 10 fatalities, with two passengers still missing. (PR)