Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10639)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10639 is the "Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act."
The State shall, at all times, protect its citizenry in the events of natural or man-made disasters and calamities and shall exhaust all possible means to notify and inform its constituents of impending disasters to prevent injuries, destruction, and loss of lives and property.
Mobile phone service providers refer to any person, firm, partnership, or corporation, government or private, granted a legislative franchise by Congress to provide cellular mobile telephone services to the general public and issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Mobile phone service providers are mandated to send free alerts in the form of SMS (text messages), MMS, or email containing up-to-date information about impending tropical storms, typhoons, tsunamis, or other calamities as required by relevant government agencies.
The alerts must include up-to-date information from relevant agencies such as NDRRMC, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS; contact information of local government units and responding agencies; and may include evacuation areas, relief sites, and pick-up points.
Yes, all mobile disaster alerts sent by service providers must be at no cost, whether direct or indirect, to consumers and are considered part of the providers' auxiliary service.
They shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than two (2) months but not more than six (6) months, and a fine ranging from One thousand pesos (P1,000) to Ten thousand pesos (P10,000). If the false information was given under oath, penalties for perjury apply.
Corporations may face fines ranging from One million pesos (P1,000,000) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000) and/or suspension or revocation of their legislative franchise and other permits and licenses by the NTC. Board members and management may also be penalized.
In addition to other penalties, alien violators shall be deported after serving their sentence and shall not be permitted to re-enter the Philippines.
Any natural or juridical person may report violations to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The Act took effect immediately after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
If any provision is declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of the Act shall remain in full force and effect.