In today’s world, where being online is a must for work, communication, and even leisure, living on a beautiful island like Palawan can sometimes feel like a love-hate relationship. Sure, you’ve got the beaches, the mountains, and the sunsets, but internet interruptions are always lurking, ready to bring your digital life to a screeching halt. Today was one of those days when island living threw a wrench in the works.

Network Advisory: PLDT Down

If you’re a PLDT user in Palawan, you may have noticed your internet vanishing into the digital abyss. As of today, PLDT’s fiber optic internet services across the island were disrupted due to a landslide in Barangay Langogan, Puerto Princesa City. This incident, which affected PLDT’s fiber optic cables, left thousands of customers dealing with intermittent to non-existent service.

PLDT’s official statement reads, “A landslide in Langogan, Palawan has affected our fiber optic cables servicing parts of the island. This has caused some of our customers to experience intermittent services. We are working closely with local government units to restore and normalize services and will provide more details as they come.”

The tricky terrain of Palawan, coupled with its location in the middle of an island chain, makes such events more than just possible—they’re inevitable. This isn’t the first time, and it probably won’t be the last, that Mother Nature takes down our internet for a while. It’s part of the charm (or frustration) of island life, right?

Starlink to the Rescue?

But not everyone on the island was left without their daily dose of scrolling, working, or binge-watching. In fact, those lucky enough to have alternative internet providers, such as Globe, or even the increasingly popular Starlink, sailed through the day without a hitch. Starlink, with its satellite-based technology, seems like the knight in shining armor when things like landslides or underwater cable disruptions take down the usual suspects, PLDT and Globe.

This isn’t the first time that fiber optic cables in Palawan have been hit by natural disasters, underwater cable breaks, or other environmental factors. Given the island’s rugged landscape and weather patterns, it’s almost a question of whenrather than if.

But for those with Starlink, this just might be the moment to say, “I told you so!”—because with satellite internet, those landslide-induced fiber optic meltdowns aren’t a worry. Starlink has been gaining traction on the island as an alternative internet option, especially for areas where wired connections are unreliable or non-existent.

Globe Users Faring Better (For Now)

Interestingly enough, Globe customers appeared to have dodged the bullet this time, still managing to stay connected despite the PLDT outage. But, let’s be real—Globe isn’t entirely immune either. In the past, they’ve had their share of service interruptions, thanks to underwater submarine cable issues, landslides, and other natural occurrences that like to toy with our internet lines.

The moral of today’s story? If you live in Palawan and depend on a solid internet connection—whether for remote work, digital nomading, or simply not wanting to miss out on the latest episode of your favorite series—maybe it’s time to consider diversifying your internet options. Between Globe, PLDT, and Starlink, there’s no perfect solution, but having a backup might just save your day the next time Mother Nature decides to play.

So, if you’re currently sitting in a café with no Wi-Fi, maybe it’s time to take a long, hard look at that Starlink brochure. After all, Palawan’s beauty may be untouched, but its internet? Not so much!