SP to NTC, telcos: Upgrade your devices
IL OIL O–The Sangguniang Panlalawigan ( SP) recommended to the National Telecommunications Commission ( NTC) and telecommunications companies to upgrade their devices to ensure the proper implementation of signal jamming should it be needed.
A hearing was conducted on Feb. 1 by the SP’s committee on public transportation and public utility chaired by ex- officio Provincial Board member Ramon Sullano regarding the spillover to the province of the phone signal jamming during the 2023 Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City.
Nearby towns – Pavia, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Zarraga, Oton, San Miguel, and even Alimodian – and parts of Guimaras province lost mobile phone signal during the festival highlights on Jan. 21 and 22.
Residents and several businesses, mainly food delivery services, were affected.
“Hopefully ang NTC maupgrade man nila ang ila devices para at least maka- implement with the assistance sang telcos,” Sullano told Panay News after the committee hearing.
NTC-6 legal officer, Atty. Deo Virgil Tan, said what happened was not signal jamming but a signal shutdown.
“Ang problema gali kay wala sang capability ang aton mga telcos nga mag- shutdown in limited area. So, may nagasulod or emanate pa nga signal from outside the city, so amo sina siguro nag- order pa gid sila ( referring to NTC) nga i- shutdown ang neighboring areas naton like Santa Barbara, Alimodian and even Guimaras province. Amo na nga daw nagtotal shutdown sa syudad, nagrange sia sang 25 kilometers or more pa gani,” Sullano explained.
He said not only peace and order and public safety should be looked into but also the business sector, food delivery services, and possible emergency cases, among others.
On the other hand, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas said he would no longer endorse signal jamming as a security measure for next year’s Dinagyang Festival.
“Ang NTC nag- promisa man nga i- report nila tanan sa
commissioner ang nagakatabu.
Probably they will recommend measures man para indi na masulit ang insidente nga ina,”
he said.
Also present during the committee hearing were Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office ( PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu; Police Regional Office 6 director, Police Brigadier General Leo M. Francisco; and Provincial Board members Matt Palabrica, June Mondejar and Domingo Oso Jr./