TelCos commit to send free public safety text messages during calamities, disasters, and emergencies
An April 15, 2011 press release by the Presidential Communications Operations Office:
During typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunami, other calamities and disasters, the NDRRMC has provided Hotline Numbers (911-1406 / 912-2665 / 912-5668) which the public can contact at any given time. NDRRMC will then alert the concerned government agencies on the report and transmit the information to PIA. Director-General Jose Fabia of PIA assured that the agency will serve as the “clearing house” to help NDRRMC validate the veracity of the information before it will craft the Government’s “OFFICIAL ADVISORY” and forward it to NTC.
In instances where the report/information is from a government agency (i.e. PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, PNRI, DOH, ETC.), Gen. Benito Ramos of NDRRMC said that the National Council together with the 42 other line agencies of government will validate the information and use their usual protocols to address the situation.
NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba emphasized that after receiving the notice/advisory from PIA, NTC will send the advisory to all TELCOS. Then, Digitel/SUN – GLOBE – PLDT/SMART will send the “OFFICIAL TEXT MESSAGE” to their subscribers. The Official Text Message will come from the number 1456. Continue reading