As disasters and extreme weather events continue to threaten communities across the Philippines, Bataan First District Rep. Tony Roman III has filed House Bill No. 9306, or the Government Last-Mile Emergency Communications Act, to ensure that life-saving government information reaches the public even when internet, mobile networks, or electricity are disrupted. The proposed measure recognizes that timely and accurate information can save lives during emergencies.
The bill seeks to strengthen the Presidential Broadcast Service–Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS), including Radyo Pilipinas, by designating its facilities as part of the country’s critical emergency communications infrastructure. This would enable the government to maintain continuous emergency broadcasting operations during typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and other large-scale crises.
Under the proposal, a National Emergency Broadcast Resilience Program will be established, supported by standardized emergency broadcast protocols, backup power systems, mobile emergency broadcasting units, cybersecurity protection, inter-agency coordination, and continuity-of-operations planning. It also provides for the activation of an Emergency Special Broadcast Mode whenever disasters or widespread communications disruptions occur.
Roman said the measure is intended to benefit disaster-stricken communities, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), local government units, disaster response offices, emergency responders, vulnerable sectors, schools, evacuation centers, and the general public. The bill aims to ensure that verified emergency information remains accessible even in the country’s most remote communities.
If enacted, House Bill No. 9306 will improve the government’s capacity to deliver verified public warnings, evacuation advisories, emergency instructions, life-saving information, and disaster updates. The proposed law is expected to play a crucial role in situations where conventional communication systems fail because of damaged infrastructure or prolonged power outages.
The proposal forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and resilience. Recent calamities have highlighted the need for a dependable emergency broadcasting system capable of operating despite communications and power outages, ensuring that government advisories continue reaching affected populations.
“For disasters, every second counts, and every piece of verified information matters,” Roman emphasized. “When the signal goes down, information shouldn’t.” Through House Bill No. 9306, the lawmaker hopes to establish a more resilient emergency communications network that will keep Filipinos informed and protected when they need it most.
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