What's the emergency? Globe draws flak for emergency alert about SIM registration
Over the past few days, Globe subscribers have received emergency alerts not because of typhoons or earthquakes, but because of the April 26 SIM registration deadline—drawing much criticism online for causing panic and anxiety.
In a statement, Globe said it opted to use the emergency cell broadcast (ECB) system as registrations "had been slow," and the "tepid daily registration numbers" were at around 200,000 per day in March.
"This was done to instill urgency on millions of customers who have yet to register their SIMs," Globe said in another statement.
Republic Act No. 10639, or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, states that telco providers must inform the public about "impending disasters to prevent injuries, destruction and loss of lives and property."
Section 4 states that they must send out alerts at regular intervals "in the event of an impending tropical storm, typhoon, tsunami, or other calamities," as required by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and other relevant agencies.
While some found Globe's move helpful, this didn't sit well with some users.
Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun on Twitter asked whether it's the "proper use" of the system.
Another Twitter user said non-registration of SIMs doesn't "pose a threat to anyone's safety," and that the ECB was a "nuisance."
Some users also lamented that they've already registered but still received emergency alerts, and more than once at that.
"I was working, then I heard it. I thought kung ano, Globe lang. I have been sim-registered since December," a netizen wrote.
Others, meanwhile, called the notifications panic- and anxiety-inducing.
"Kinabahan ako. Akala ko may lindol o ano," someone tweeted.
In a statement, Yoly Crisanto, Globe's Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, apologized to customers who took to social media their "irritation" about the alerts.
"We appeal for their understanding as these messages are geographically targeted for all," he said. "Globe sees the low registration numbers as needing urgent public service because the lack of mobile services is in itself an emergency[.]"
Globe also noted that the ECB was implemented "within acceptable parameters," and that the NDRRMC "has given no objections" to its use.
The National Telecommunications Commission said that as of April 20, only 75.5 million out of 168 million SIMs, or 45%, were registered.
Globe, meanwhile, said that around 35.8 million out of 86.7 million subscribers have registered as of April 22.
Smart and DITO haven't used the ECB so far.
Filipinos are given until Wednesday, April 26, to register their SIM cards—whether it's for short message services, voice, and data; embedded SIMS or eSIMs; or those used for data-only or fixed wireless broadband.
It's in accordance with the SIM Card Registration Act, signed into law last October 2022. Since taking into effect on Dec. 27, 2022, everybody has had 180 days to comply.
