When disaster strikes, every second counts. But a recent earthquake exposed a flaw in the system: SMS alerts were delayed, leaving many people in the dark. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has acknowledged the issue, blaming it on a limited system that can only send messages to 200,000 numbers at a time.
The problem started when the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) drafted a message to warn people about the earthquake. But by the time it was sent to the NBTC and then to mobile phone operators, precious time had been lost. People didn’t receive the SMS alert until around 9 pm, hours after the earthquake struck at 1:26 pm.
System Overload
The NBTC says its staff acted quickly, but the system is outdated. “We’re talking about a bureaucratic process,” says Nui Phongsukhiran, founder and CEO of Show No Limit Co. “It’s slow and can’t keep up with the pace of disasters.” He expressed frustration on Facebook, saying that the system needs an overhaul.
The current system not only limits the number of messages it can send at one time, but it also restricts the area it can cover. This meant that many people didn’t receive the alert, or got it too late. The NBTC has apologized for the delay, but it’s clear that something needs to change.
Scammers Strike
As people waited for official updates, scammers saw an opportunity. Fake alerts started circulating, complete with links to “follow the situation.” But these links were likely phishing attempts, designed to steal personal data. The real alerts from the DDPM never include links, so it’s essential to be cautious.
The NBTC and DDPM need to work together to find a solution. With the current system, people’s lives are at risk. It’s time for an upgrade, one that can keep up with the speed and scope of modern disasters. Only then can people trust that they’ll get the warnings they need, when they need them.