In an effort to fight bogus alarms that cause unnecessary panic, Malacañang (Malacanang palace pictured on the left) has launched the “Official Text Message” system to provide accurate information in times of typhoons, floods, earthquakes and other emergencies. Aside from trying to avoid panic, the new public safety advisory system will provide guidance to citizens to safeguard lives and their property.
The Philippines’ government has teamed-up with major telecommunications firms — including PLDT/Smart, Globe and Digitel/Sun — to establish the system via SMS with telecom companies volunteering to do their part.
Commenting on the service launch, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said: “In times of crisis, accurate information breeds confidence and silence breeds fear. It is vital for the government to give the correct advisories to the public to avoid panic over unverified statements and hoax messages.”
The National Telecommunications Commission on its end had issued a memorandum on the guidelines for public safety broadcast of text messages during emergencies. The “Official Text Message” will come from the mobile number 1456.