NTC activates amateur, civic radio groups for emergency communications ahead of Uwan

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Saturday announced its regional offices have activated amateur and civic radio action groups to support government emergency communications and public assistance operations as the country braces for the impact of potential super typhoon Uwan.

In a news release, the NTC said the groups would be mobilized through its regional offices as part of the government’s proactive and stronger disaster preparedness as well as to provide assistance in safeguarding lives and communities from the impending threat posed by Uwan.

“The NTC underscores the vital role of radio communications in disaster preparedness and response and commends the continuous volunteerism of the country’s amateur radio and civic communication groups in times of national emergencies,” it said.

The telecommunications regulator said its regional offices “have already taken proactive measures" in preparation for Uwan.

“Each regional office has coordinated with its respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) to ensure clear lines of communication and effective response coordination,” the NTC said.

“Monitoring of designated emergency frequencies across UHF (ultra high frequency), VHF (very high frequency), and HF (high frequency) bands is now available to support real-time information exchange among emergency responders and volunteer radio groups,” it added.

The NTC said its regional teams have also ensured that communication equipment and facilities are fully operational, with adequate power supplies and backup systems in place to maintain continuous service in the event of power interruptions.

“In addition, all radio operators have been reminded to prioritize emergency traffic and strictly adhere to standard communication protocols to maintain order and efficiency in radio traffic during the typhoon’s passage,” it said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News