Senate OKs bill requiring telcos to send SMS disaster alert

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate yesterday passed on third and final reading a bill that would require the country’s telecommunication companies (telcos) to send out free early warning alerts or other relevant information during times of disasters.

The Senate adopted House Bill No. 353 or the “Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act” with 20 affirmative votes and no negative votes or abstentions.

Under the bill, the alerts shall consist of updated information from relevant agencies working on disaster management and shall be transmitted directly to the mobile phone subscribers located near and within the affected areas.

Senate President Franklin Drilon underscored the importance of the measure, considered part of government efforts to further improve its national disaster prevention strategy.

He said that once the bill is enacted into law, it will “help create an effective early warning system that will help achieve the main objectives of our national disaster preparedness strategy.”

He noted that the government must employ the most efficient and the fastest methods of informing the public on impending calamities, such as tropical storms, tsunamis or earthquakes, hence the use of mobile phone technology.

Prior to the session, Drilon met with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to discuss the priority measures Congress intends to pass before sine die adjournment on June 13.

Among the priority bills is the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, which was endorsed by the Senate committee on public services chaired by Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.