Corporate Beginnings

Iriga Telephone Company, Inc. (IRIGATEL) began its corporate life on February 23, 1968. It was granted a Legislative Franchise on May 22, 1969 under Republic Act No. 5974, authorizing IRIGATEL to install, operate, and maintain a telephone system within Iriga City.

Actual operations started later — on December 15, 1971 — after IRIGATEL was issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) by the then Public Service Commission.

IRIGATEL launched operations with a 200-line automatic dial telephone system (analog), acquired from General Telephone and Electronics Industries Philippines, Inc., the principal supplier of PLDT switching equipment at the time.

This milestone marked the introduction of the automatic dial system in the entire Bicol Region. IRIGATEL became the first company in the region to bring this innovation to local telecommunications.

Growth and Expansion

From its humble beginnings with only 200 analog lines, IRIGATEL steadily expanded its capacity and technology. Over the decades, it transitioned from analog systems to modern digital telecommunications infrastructure.

By 2002, IRIGATEL had grown into a fully digital system operating 3,000 digital lines, with plans to expand by an additional 2,000 lines.

These continuous improvements reflect IRIGATEL’s commitment to delivering reliable and accessible communication services to the residents of Iriga City and neighboring areas.