A mobile communication hub has been set up to cater to close to 2,000 evacuees in Cavite affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said.

The Task Force Taal Libreng Tawag was put up at Alfonso Central Elementary School where 1,957 evacuees are housed, to offer domestic and international calls, a charging station, free Wi-Fi, and other ancillary services.

For its pilot operation on Monday, the OWWA team led by Deputy Administrators Josefino Torres and Mocha J. Uson, and OWWA Region 4-A led by Regional Director Maria Luisa Reyes proceeded to the school occupied by people from Lemery, Batangas.

According to Torres, the communication facility is the welfare agency’s share of assistance and care to the Batanguenos displaced by the Taal volcano unrest.

“The Libreng Tawag is open to all the evacuees, OFW or not, so they can contact their families, loved ones, or whoever they would like to reach out regarding their current situation,” Torres said in a statement.

The hub has four mobile phones and a charging station which is powered by two generator sets.

An OFW Help Desk was also set up for the evacuees who were OFWs themselves or with OFW relatives, to answer inquiries regarding recently implemented OWWA programs and services like rebate and e-Card.

Of the four lines opened for the evacuees, two lines may be used for international calls. Free Wi-Fi service will be available for evacuees whose contacts can only be reached through social media and email.

OWWA records show there are 43,132 active and non-active OFWs in Alfonso, Cavite and Batangas.

Meanwhile, the next “Libreng Tawag” will be in Batangas while its venue has yet to be announced. (PNA)