CITY COUNCILOR ASKS: What’s the backup plan when cellphone signal is jammed?

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The lone dissenter to the proposal to jam cellphone signal during the Dinagyang highlights on Jan 26, 2020 asked for contingency plans from safety and security entities amid the communication shutdown.

Councilor Allan Zaldivar raised the point during their regular session on Thursday where they discussed the jamming of cellphone signal during the tribes’ dance competition (Dinagyang 360) on Jan 26.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod eventually passed a resolution recommending the communication/signal shutdown specifically on Jan 26, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The signal jamming will cover the area within the three-kilometer radius from the center of the event venue. While most of the events will be scheduled in City Proper district, it will also affect the neighboring districts of La Paz, Molo, Jaro and even portions of Mandurriao,” Councilor Mandrei Malabor chairman of the Committee on Communications and Public Information said.

Initially, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Col. Martin Defensor Jr. requested for the two-day shutdown from January 25 to January 26.

In their letter request, Malabor said the police reiterated the need for signal jamming for two days to prevent terrorists or criminals from using improvised explosive devices (IED).

Different agencies and some members of the council questioned the two-day signal shutdown.

Zaldivar said the lack of mobile communication could affect responses to emergency situations such as accidents and fires.

He added that hospitals and emergency services will also be affected, thus the need for contingency plans.

Councilor Malabor said Iloilo Festivals and Foundation Inc. (IFFI) were particularly concerned with the holding of the new event “Dagyang sa Calle Real” on Jan. 25.

“During the committee hearing, the City Tourism Office and IFFI aired the concerns on the shutdown of the signal on January 25 as they were pushing for a new event which is the Dagyang sa Calle Real. It is a morning and afternoon event at the different streets of the city and they are expecting livestreams for the viewers and a lot of advertisements on the internet and social media,” he explained.

Dagyang sa Calle Real, which replaced Kasadyahan Festival, will feature performances of barangay-based tribes where the audience can join the tribes.

Councilor Jay Treñas shared the same sentiments and reiterated that internet is really useful for promotion and extra mileage for the new event.

“We need gid communication signals to better promote sang event and kinanglan man naton social media,” he said.

Councilor Ely Estante added that the one-day signal jamming on the highlight of the festival on Jan. 26 is proper considering that there is a need to safeguard the security of the ambassadors, senators, national officials, and VIPs who will grace the festival.

“They are requesting for two days but the highlight is on the 26^th. I think that police should intensify their security efforts on the 25^th but on the 26^th to really safeguard, the guests that will be watching at the Freedom Grandstand, it is just and proper that we will have a shutdown of the communication on Jan. 26,” he emphasized.

After deliberations, eight councilors – Candice Tupas, Eduardo Peñaredondo, Lyndon Acap, Jojo Javellana, Julienne Grace Baronda including Treñas, Estante, and Malabor – voted for the shutdown on Jan. 26 only.

Irene Ong, Leila Luntao, Rudolph Ganzon and Rommel Duron abstained while Zaldivar was the lone dissenter.