By Janice M. Cave
MANILA, (PNA) — The Philippines will soon adopt a Japanese digital TV standard with a built-in emergency alert system that is also vital during calamities, a Palace official said Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the country’s migration from analog to digital will be made possible through the adoption of the Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial or ISDB-T standard.
“Mapapakinabangan ito lalo sa panahon ng kalamidad… at yung pagkakaroon ng built-in emergency alert system na kailangang kailangan sa ating bansa na parating nakakaranas ng kalamidad tulad ng bagyo at lindol,” Coloma said at a press briefing.
Like the Philippines, Japan is frequently visited by disasters. Coloma said this was one of the reasons for adopting the Japanese technology instead of the cheaper European TV platform.
Once the technology is used in the country, Coloma said it would be easier to reach out to public because of its compatibility with mobile devices.
“Any mobile device such as smartphones, tablets and the like with an ISDB chip can receive mobile transmission and early warning,” he said.
Coloma said the National Telecommunications Commission was supposed to issue the implementing rules and regulations for digital TV three years ago but was delayed following an order from President Benigno Aquino III for a review and consultation with stakeholders.
“Sinikap ng NTC na alamin ang kanilang concerns at sa pakiwari ng ating commissioner ng NTC ay natugunan naman lahat ng concerns ng stakeholders,” he said.
The NTC will promulgate a memorandum circular formalizing local television’s digital shift using the Japanese standard.
After the promulgation, a new technical working group will be formed to draft its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), Coloma said.
“We expect by yearend, the NTC, in coordination with the KBP [Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas] will be able to conduct public consultations leading to the promulgation of the IRR,” he said.