Question & AnswerQ&A (OCD NDRRMC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001, s.2015)
The primary purpose is to mandate telecommunications service providers in the Philippines to send free mobile alerts in the event of natural and man-made disasters and calamities, establishing a Nationwide Early Warning System for near real-time delivery of critical emergency messages to mobile devices in targeted locations.
All Mobile Phone Service Providers operating within the Republic of the Philippines are required to adhere to the provisions of the Circular.
Emergency Alert and Warning Messages refer to messages from Warning Agencies that are hazard-specific, area-focused, time-bound, and intended for mobile subscribers to provide critical information about emergencies or disasters.
Mobile Alerts can take the form of SMS, MMS, email, or push notification.
MEAS is an alerting network designed to disseminate emergency alerts to mobile devices by sending alerts to participating telecommunications companies who distribute the alerts to their customers via their networks.
The alert message is first sent to the NDRRMC Operations Center (NDRRMOC), validated, then forwarded to the NDRRMC Executive Director for approval. Upon approval, the NDRRMC relays the message to Mobile Phone Service Providers who then disseminate it to subscribers in affected areas.
No, the alerts shall be sent at no cost, whether direct or indirect, to the consumers and are considered an auxiliary service of the mobile providers.
Any person who gives false or misleading data or conceals material facts may be punished with imprisonment of 2 to 6 months and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P10,000. If the offender is a corporation, fines from P1,000,000 to P10,000,000 and possible suspension or revocation of its franchise may be imposed.
Warning agencies include PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, PNRI, MGB, BFP, PNP, AFP, DOH, PIA, and PCOO, which provide hazard-specific alerts to the NDRRMC for dissemination.
The NTC regulates and monitors compliance of Mobile Phone Service Providers regarding the transmission of alert messages, ensuring the requests for mobile alert transmissions are sent by the telecom providers as mandated.