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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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MANILA – Telecommunications firms in the country have been urged to explain their failure to send mobile alerts before disasters happen.
While the past two typhoons that hit Metro Manila recently did not affect the quality of cellular phone coverage, Sen. Grace Poe said that no text alerts were received by mobile users.
“Kung anu-ano ang mga promo na natatanggap natin. Kung kaya naman – wala namang duda na kaya, maaaring dun sa ibang lugar may excuse pa silang sabihin na ang signal ay masama kaya naman pinapalawig natin ang emergency powers kung saka-sakaling makasama ‘yung pagpapatayo ng mas maraming cell sites. Pero dito sa Metro Manila, parang walang excuse na hindi nating matanggap. Ako hindi ko natanggap mismo,” Poe said.
In filing Senate Resolution No. 211, the lady senator wanted the implementing agencies and telecommunications companies to explain their non-compliance of Republic Act (RA) 10639, or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act.
RA 10639 was enacted by the Aquino administration in 2014.
Citing Section 6 of the law, Poe said that any corporation that is found guilty of gross negligence, or conceals and falsifies a material fact, in any investigation, inquiry, study, or other proceeding pursuant to the Act may be penalized with a fine from P1 million to P10 million.
They could also face suspension or revocation of its legislative franchise and other permits and licenses.
“Receiving alerts in times of disasters is very important especially in far-flung areas. This is already spelled out in the law that warnings should be sent by telcos free of charge on the part of the mobile phone subscribers,” Poe said
Poe also said that emergency numbers of disaster response agencies – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Red Cross – should be included in the disaster alert./PN
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