Since October 2019, all landline numbers in Metro Manila have shifted from 7-digit to 8-digit numbers². Thus, if you are from a province planning to call a Manila landline, you must first know its corresponding 8-digit number. 

In this article, we will provide you with a detailed step-by-step guide on how to call a Manila landline if you’re from a province (or outside the country) and vice versa. 

Read the main article: An Ultimate Guide to Landline Area Codes in the Philippines

Why Did Metro Manila Switch to 8-Digit Landline Numbers?

Due to the increasing number of landline customers in Metro Manila, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered all telecommunication providers in NCR to shift from 7-digit to 8-digit landline numbers. 

This also applies to other locations with an area code of 02, such as San Pedro (in Laguna), Bacoor (in Cavite), and the province of Rizal.

The specific digit that will be added to the old 7-digit landline number varies depending on the telecom provider. This additional digit is called the Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) Identifier.  

The PTE Identifier of Philippine telecoms are:

• PLDT – 8
• Globe – 7
• Converge – 6
• Eastern Telecom – 5
• BayanTel – 3

If you’re calling a PLDT landline number based in Manila, add 8 at the start of the existing number. Meanwhile, if you’re calling a Globe landline number based in Manila, you must add 7 at the beginning of the current number. 

How To Call Manila Landline From the Province

If you’re from a province outside NCR and wish to call a Manila landline, follow these steps:

1. Press 0, then the area code 2.
2. Press the PTE Identifier of the landline you want to call (e.g., Press 7 if you’re calling a Globe landline or 8 if you’re calling a PLDT landline).
3. Press the landline number and proceed with making the call.

In short, you have to dial the:

0 + area code (“2”) + <PTE Identifier> + <landline number>

Suppose you’re calling the Manila landline 210-1234, a Globe landline. Following the format above, you will dial 02-7210-1234. Meanwhile, if you’re calling the landline 123-9876, a PLDT landline, you must dial 02-8123-9876.

How To Call Manila Landline From Abroad

If you’re based abroad and wish to call a Manila landline, follow these steps:

1. Press 00, then the Philippine country code 63.
2. Press the area code 2.
3. Press the PTE identifier of the landline you wish to call (e.g., 7 for Globe or 8 for PLDT).
4. Press the landline number and proceed with the call.

To summarize:

00 + country code (“63”) + area code (“2”) + <PTE Identifier> + <landline number>

How To Call a Provincial Landline From Manila

If you are in Manila and wish to call a landline located outside the NCR, follow these steps:

1. Press 0, then the area code of the province.
2. Press the landline number and proceed with making the call.

To put it simply:

0 + <area code> + <landline number>

Say you reside in Manila and wish to call someone in Batangas with the landline number 123-4567. To make a call, you have to dial 043-123-4567 (“43” is the Batangas area code).

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Globe, Bayan to Implement 8-digit Landline Number in MM. (2019). Retrieved 4 January 2022, from https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/corporate/globe-bayan-implement-8-digit-landline-number-metro-manila.html#gref
2. 8-digit landline numbers in NCR to start in October. (2019). Retrieved 4 January 2022, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075887