Emergency Cell Broadcast System
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Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) is an alert broadcast system in the Philippines, designed to disseminate emergency alerts and warnings to mobile devices via cell broadcast services (CBS)[1]
Telecommunications companies and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are both mandated and required by law to send free mobile alerts before disasters happen.[2]
The alert broadcast system was implemented in compliance with the Republic Act 10639, also known as the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. The legislation was signed on June 20, 2014[3] and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) were released on July 21, 2015.[4] Initially only SMS or text messages were used to alert the public regarding emergencies and disasters.
The Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) was launched on March 13, 2017 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Smart Communications.[5]
Information transmission capabilities
- Critical information that affected communities can use to prepare for and respond to disasters
- Contact information of authorities and responders in affected areas
- Information on evacuation centers, relief sites, and pick-up points
- Up-to-date information provided by state weather bureau PAGASA, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs), and NDRRMC