House resolution seeks free text, calls during calamities

A controversial congressman has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives asking telecommunications companies to offer free text messaging and calls services in times of calamities and other natural disasters.



Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), who received flak recently for filing an “anti-planking” bill, has authored House Resolution 1845, which makes a plea to local carriers to give people access to free text messaging and call services in times of emergencies.

Unlike a bill which can become a law, a resolution is merely used to express the opinion of the legislature on a current issue. Oftentimes, it is also used to call for a congressional action on an issue affecting national interest.

“Free short messaging and call services would go a long way in mitigating the adverse effects of any crisis, disaster, and calamity,” Castelo said in a statement.

Castelo said the business community, particularly the private sector, should be involved in national disaster risk reduction.

“In times of crisis and calamities, wireless service subscribers, especially those in remote areas, have difficulty purchasing loads which they use to communicate to the outside world,” Castelo said.

“It is but right that these telecommunications firms have to return a portion of their earnings to these communities,” he added.

The lawmaker said the local telcos can use the free text and calls as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. — Newsbytes.ph