In times of disaster: Congress OKs bill on free text alerts

CEBU, Philippines - Congress has approved House Bill 353 that mandates telecommunication companies to send free mobile alerts in the event of natural and man-made disasters and calamities.

Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares has informed the Cebu Provincial Board of the approval of the bill, which is now only waiting for the President to sign it into law.

Colmenares, in his letter addressed to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, expressed his gratitude to the Province of Cebu for supporting HB 353, saying “We hope that you would continue supporting the endeavors and advocacies of Bayan Muna, and by that, continue to serve the people and be with them in their struggle,” said Colmenares, author of the bill.

The PB passed on March 10, 2014 a resolution sponsored by Board Member Thadeo Ouano supporting HB 353.

Ouano supports the bill, saying that Cebu Province is vulnerable to many types of natural and man-made disasters and calamities like typhoon, earthquake and landslides.

“High population density, improper information and lack of regard to the warnings make the impact of natural disasters worse,” he said.

Ouano said the cellphones serve as the primary outlet in disseminating information since adopting Short Message Service (SMS) is their primary means of communications.

Ouano thanked Colmenares for the reply informing them of the status of the bill they are supporting.

“Ang gesture niya maayo ug pasalamat ta nila at least mahibawo sad ang mga constituents,” he said.

He said getting a response on their resolutions is very rare to happen.

Ouano also cited Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon for his reply to the PB request to all Cebuano lawmakers to provide dialysis machine or set up dialysis center in their respective districts to cater indigent kidney renal patients.

Salimbangon told Ouano that sometime in 2010, he donated four dialysis machines to Severo Verallo Memorial District Hospital in Bogo City.

He said that the machines have never been used for lack of a resident Nephrologist in the said province-owned hospital.  (FREEMAN)