Redundant, Reliable, Ubiquitous:

Opportunities Towards Improvementof Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management (DRRM) Communications

Engr. Pierre Tito Galla, PECE

Democracy.Net.PH

November 19, 2013

Challenges

• Policy challenges

– Restrictive laws

– Obsolete laws

– Preference for “high tech” solutions

– Bias against existing infrastructure

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Rationale forOpportunities for Improvement

• Rationale– We should not depend on a few communications platforms

• Any and all platforms should be used for DRRM

– We should allow widespread availability and use of communications platforms. • Encourage the formation of amateur and hobby radio groups, who will form

part of disaster communications “force multipliers”

– We should develop communications platforms and ICT up to the rural last mile.

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Opportunities for Policy Changes

• National level– Amend the Radio Control Law (Act No. 3846) and relax

policy restrictions on amateur and citizen’s band (CB) radio equipment

– Amend the Public Telecommunications Act (RA 7925) to push for multiple platform basic telecommunications facilities (e.g., landline, maritime radio) to the rural last mile

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Opportunities for Policy Changes

• National level– Amend the DRRM Law (RA 10120) to mandate:

• The use of the Philippine Broadcast System (PBS) for emergency broadcasts.

• Acquisition of airtime and use of private media firms during disasters.

– Use the Congressional oversight on franchises• Require the use of telco systems for geolocated SMS, service message, and

push message services (including “text blasts”) during disasters.

• Require broadcast companies to use digital service messaging under the ISDB-T digital television standard for announcements during disasters.

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Opportunities for Policy Changes

• LGU level– Encourage the formation of amateur radio (“ham”) hobby

groups and CSOs as disaster communications “force multipliers”

– Adopt proven legacy communications technology and support equipment (e.g., CB radios, bicycle generators) ready for set up or currently pre-positioned in “safe zones” (e.g., public schools, state universities)

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Opportunities for Policy Changes

• LGU level– Periodic audits of communications equipment and facilities

and periodic drills and training among DRRM stakeholders.

– Provide multiple platforms and cross-trained personnel for local communications centers.

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Opportunities for Policy Changes

• Further opportunities– Support the Communications, Electronics, and Information

Systems Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) in establishing nationwide AFP communications networks and backbones

– Encourage the expansion of a number of Philippine telecommunications local loops and communications backbones by the private sector

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Q & A

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END.

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