By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA – The country’s telecommunications service providers have been ordered to send free mobile notifications related to disaster preparedness and response.
Under Republic Act 10639 (The Free Mobile Disaster Act) that President Benigno Aquino III signed, the government seeks to inform and protect the people in case of natural or man-made disasters and calamities to prevent injuries, destruction and loss of lives and property.
“In the event of an impending tropical storm, typhoon, tsunami or other calamities, mobile phone service providers are mandated to send out alerts at regular intervals as required by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and other relevant agencies,” the law read.
The free alerts will consist of up-to-date information from the relevant agencies and will be sent directly to mobile phone subscribers located within affected areas.
The alerts will also include contact information of local government units and other agencies involved in disaster response as well as relevant information such as evacuation centers, relief sites and pick-up points.
Mobile users will not be charged for receiving these alerts whether in the form of text messages, multimedia messaging service (MMS) or email. The mobile disaster alerts will be included as part of the service providers auxiliary service.
The law also imposes penalties to persons as well as companies caught violating the law.
Any person who gives false or misleading information or wilfully or through gross negligence conceals or falsifies a material fact in any investigation shall be punished with imprisonment of from two months to six months and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P10,000. If giving false data is made under oath, the maximum penalty for perjury will be imposed.
If the offender is a corporation, the penalties ranges from a fine of P1 million to P10 million and/or a suspension or revocation of its franchise and other licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The Department of Transportation and Communications, NTC, NDRRMC, Pagasa and other concerned agencies have been directed to craft the rules and regulations implementing RA 10639 within 60 days from the effectivity of the law.
The law, signed on June 20, takes effect after complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper.
The latest public safety system has been adapted several months after the devastating onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda in parts of the Visayas. With the Philippines considered the text messaging capital of the world, it is expected that more people will be alerted in times of dangerous situations./PN
