MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has directed telecommunications companies and other concerned service providers to suspend all network repairs and maintenance works until May 14, 2022.
In a memorandum dated April 25, the NTC noted the “critical role” to be played by telecommunications services and its supporting infrastructure in this year’s elections.
“Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, requires that the election results of the Automated Election System (AES) shall be electronically transmitted. Coordination within and among various government agencies, accredited citizens’ arms, volunteers, poll watchers and candidates is expected to peak during this year’s elections. In view of this, all telecommunications services and its supporting infrastructure will play a critical role in this year’s national and local elections as scheduled on 09 May 2022,” the memorandum read.
“In this regard, the Commission hereby directs all public telecommunication entities (PTEs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Value-Added Service Providers (ASPs), and Satellite Service Providers (SSPs) to ensure that all network repairs and maintenance be completed on or before 03 May 2022. PTEs, ISPs, VASPs and SSPs are directed to suspend all network repairs and maintenance works from 04 to 14 May 2022,” it added.
If emergency repair and maintenance work is needed, however, the NTC advised PTEs, ISPs, ASPs and SSPs to immediately notify the commission “of the nature of the emergency, impact on services and affected areas, including the timelines for restoration or completion.”
“For this purpose, the Commission will designate a team to be on standby 24/7 from 04 to 14 May 2022 to receive such notices. The notices shall then be forwarded to the respective Regional Offices with instructions to the Regional Director and their personnel to coordinate and monitor on a 24/7 basis, the nature, extent and timelines of the repair and maintenance work,” the NTC said.
The NTC reminded all concerned service providers to ensure that all repair and maintenance personnel, including subcontractors, “have proper company identification and uniform and are transported in appropriately marked company vehicles at all times.”