Filipinos residing in the US and Australia will get the chance to contact their loved ones as two telecommunications companies offer calls and texts free of charge.

Call to Philippines at no cost

To help overseas Filipinos contact their relatives from the devastated region of Visayas, Comcast Corporation, a US-based mass media and communications provider offers their Pinoy subscribers a chance to call their loved ones in the Philippines for free. This offer is open for their Xfinity voice customers which is already available since November 8 and will be offered until November 22 .

Comcast is willing to waive any fees when making a call to the Philippines. In addition to that, this free international call can be made both through landline and mobile phones.

Aside from free international call offers, Comcast will also provide free special coverage of news and updates about the Yolanda-damaged areas in partnership with The Filipino Channel (TFC). This service is available to all Xfinity TV digital customers with TFC subscription.

Visit Comcast's website: http://corporate.comcast.com/

Australian Telco Telstra extends help to Yolanda victims

Meanwhile, Australia-based Pinoys have a chance to contact their families and friends back home through call and text without any charges.

SMS and calls made between 6 a.m. of November 11 (AUS time) and 6 a.m. of November 25 will not be included in the bill charges of Telstra retail customers for this month.

Customers must be patient though, as possible network congestion to take advantage of the service may occur.

The free calls and SMS offer applies to standard voice calls and SMS messages made from Australian (+61) Telstra fixed or mobile services to +63 (Philippines) numbers. For some calls, credits may be applied after the call or to the next bill.

For inquiries and more information, please contact the following people:

Marco Sindiong and Lu-Ann Fuentes

Ogilvy Public Relations Manila

Tel: (632) 238 7000

marco.sindiong@ogilvy.com or lu-ann.fuentes@ogilvy.com