Bon Mark Electronics Helps Restore Emergency Internet Connectivity Across Flood-Stricken Canlaon City
In November 2025, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, suffered one of the most devastating disasters in its history when Typhoon Tino brought continuous torrential rain and unprecedented flash flooding to the city.
Rivers and streams overflowed, sending powerful currents of muddy water, rocks, uprooted trees, and debris through communities. Homes, businesses, vehicles, roads, bridges, farms, and public facilities were severely damaged. Major roads were buried beneath thick mud and large boulders, while routes leading to several barangays—including Panubigan, Linothangan, Lumapao, Malaiba, Pula, and Mabigo—became impassable. The scale of the destruction eventually prompted Canlaon City to declare a state of calamity. (Philippine Information Agency)
The disaster claimed at least 12 lives in Canlaon City, while hundreds of families were forced to evacuate their homes. Search, rescue, recovery, relief distribution, and clearing operations had to be conducted under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. (Philippine News Agency)
Communication Became an Urgent Need
Along with the destruction of physical infrastructure, normal communication services were severely affected. Residents struggled to contact their families, barangay officials had difficulty transmitting reports, and response teams needed dependable communication to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
During a disaster, internet connectivity is not simply a convenience. It becomes an essential emergency tool for reporting missing persons, coordinating responders, requesting food and medical assistance, sharing road conditions, communicating with government agencies, and keeping affected families informed.
Recognizing this urgent need, Bon Mark Electronics deployed Starlink satellite internet systems throughout Canlaon City, providing emergency connectivity to the city’s barangays and main government command and control centers.
Starlink was particularly suitable for the situation because it could establish an internet connection without relying on damaged fiber-optic cables, telephone lines, or nearby cellular towers. Once the satellite equipment and supporting network devices were installed and powered, government personnel and affected communities could regain access to vital communication services.
Connectivity for Barangays and Government Control Centers
Bon Mark Electronics worked to install and activate Starlink connectivity in barangay halls and strategic government locations across Canlaon City. Public updates from the city acknowledged the assistance of Congressman Emmanuel “MM” Limkaichong Iway and the Local Government of La Libertad in making Starlink units available to support communications in affected barangays. (Facebook)
The emergency connectivity supported:
- Communication between barangay officials and the Canlaon City Government
- Coordination of rescue, recovery and relief-distribution activities
- Submission of reports concerning casualties, missing persons and damaged infrastructure
- Communication between residents and relatives outside the affected areas
- Access to government advisories and emergency information
- Coordination with donors, volunteers and responding organizations
- Deployment of assistance to isolated or difficult-to-reach communities
The main government control centers were also connected, enabling the administration of Mayor Jose Chubasco “Batchuk” Cardenas to maintain communication with barangay officials and emergency teams as the city responded to the widespread destruction. Mayor Cardenas led the city during the emergency as authorities continued searching for missing residents, assisting evacuees and assessing the disaster’s extensive damage. (Philippine News Agency)
Support from the Municipality of La Libertad
The Starlink service’s data cost was funded through the Local Government of La Libertad under the initiative of Congressman Emmanuel “MM” Limkaichong Iway. The support allowed the emergency internet systems to remain operational while Canlaon City worked to restore its regular electricity, transportation and telecommunications infrastructure.
The initiative demonstrated meaningful cooperation among local governments, public officials, technical service providers and communities during a major disaster. Public updates also credited Congressman Iway and the La Libertad LGU for lending Starlink units to help restore communications in Canlaon’s barangays. (Facebook)
Bon Mark Electronics provided the technical capability needed to deploy the systems in difficult field conditions. Its work included transporting the equipment, identifying suitable installation points, positioning the satellite antennas, establishing local Wi-Fi access, configuring network devices, testing connections and helping ensure continued operation at designated sites.
Technology in the Service of Communities
The Canlaon deployment demonstrated the important role of satellite internet in disaster response. When roads are blocked, communication lines are damaged and conventional internet services are unavailable, rapidly deployable satellite connectivity can reconnect isolated communities and strengthen the ability of government agencies to respond.
For Bon Mark Electronics, the project was more than an equipment installation. It was an emergency public-service mission carried out at a time when communication could help direct relief, reunite families, identify urgent needs and support the recovery of an entire city.
Through the cooperation of the Canlaon City Government under Mayor Jose Chubasco “Batchuk” Cardenas, the Local Government of La Libertad, Congressman Emmanuel “MM” Limkaichong Iway, barangay officials and local responders, emergency internet access reached communities that urgently needed a connection to the outside world.
Bon Mark Electronics remains committed to delivering dependable satellite internet, Wi-Fi networking and emergency communication solutions—especially when communities need connectivity most.