Short answer. In the Philippines, mobile carriers must send free disaster alerts to subscribers near and within affected areas under Republic Act No. 10639, the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act of 20 June 2014 1. PAGASA issues Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals 1 to 5 2, and PHIVOLCS sets volcano Alert Levels 0 to 5 3. No national outdoor siren network was found.
How do mobile disaster alerts work?
Republic Act No. 10639 obliges mobile carriers to send alerts, as required by the NDRRMC, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS and other agencies, to subscribers near and within affected areas 1. The law states: "The alerts shall be at no cost, whether direct or indirect, to the consumers" 1. Alerts carry up-to-date information and can include local government contact information and, where relevant, evacuation areas, relief sites and pick-up points. The law names SMS, MMS or email as channels 1.
These alerts are often called the Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS). That name, and its nationwide launch date, come from press reports rather than the law, and Phaenyx has not confirmed them from an official source.
What do the typhoon wind signals mean?
PAGASA raises a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) for areas expecting strong winds. PAGASA gives a lead time and an expected impact for each signal 2.
| Signal | Wind speed | Lead time | PAGASA note on impacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCWS #1 | 39-61 km/h (22-33 kt) | 36 hours | "Minimal disruption to public transportation." |
| TCWS #2 | 62-88 km/h (34-47 kt) | 24 hours | "Minor to moderate disruption to public transportation." |
| TCWS #3 | 89-117 km/h (48-63 kt) | 18 hours | "Moderate to significant disruption to public transportation" |
| TCWS #4 | 118-184 km/h (64-99 kt) | 12 hours | "Significant to severe disruption to public transportation." |
| TCWS #5 | 185 km/h or higher (100 kt or higher) | 12 hours | "Electricity, potable water supply, and telecommunications will be unavailable for prolonged periods" |
All rows: PAGASA 2. For what to do at each stage, see /guides/hurricane-preparedness and /guides/power-outage.
What do the volcano alert levels mean?
PHIVOLCS uses Alert Levels 0 to 5. The definitions below come from its table for Bulusan Volcano (revised 25 September 2014) 3. Each monitored volcano has its own table, with different wording and danger-zone distances: the same page gives 6 km at level 3 and 10 km at level 4 for another volcano 3. Always read the bulletin for your volcano.
| Level | Name | Meaning (Bulusan table) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Quiet or No Alert | No magmatic eruption foreseen, but explosions, rockfalls and landslides may suddenly occur within the 4 km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) |
| 1 | Low Level of Volcanic Unrest | Entry into the PDZ must be prohibited |
| 2 | Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest | Probable magma intrusion at depth; areas within 5 km of the active vent may be added to the danger zone |
| 3 | High Level of Volcanic Unrest | Hazardous eruption possible in weeks; danger zones may be expanded up to 8 km from the crater |
| 4 | Hazardous Eruption Imminent | Danger zone may be extended to 9 km or more from the crater |
| 5 | Hazardous Eruption in Progress | Life-threatening eruption; additional danger areas may be declared |
All rows: PHIVOLCS 3. For protection from ashfall, see /guides/volcanic-ash.
Are there air raid sirens in the Philippines?
No national outdoor siren network was found. Warnings reach the public through mobile alerts 1 and the bulletins of PAGASA and PHIVOLCS 23. The OCD Go Bag list includes a radio with fresh and extra batteries 4; see /guides/emergency-radio.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay for disaster text alerts in the Philippines?
No. Republic Act No. 10639 makes the alerts free to consumers, directly or indirectly 1.
What is the highest typhoon signal?
TCWS #5, for winds of 185 km/h or more, raised 12 hours ahead 2.
Is Alert Level 0 completely safe?
No. Even at level 0, explosions, rockfalls and landslides may suddenly occur within the Permanent Danger Zone, according to the PHIVOLCS table for Bulusan 3.
Sources
- Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library — Republic Act No. 10639 – The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act — https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/59639 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- PAGASA (DOST) — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal — https://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/learning-tools/tropical-cyclone-wind-signal (accessed 2026-10-20)
- PHIVOLCS (DOST) — Volcano Alert Levels — https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/volcano-alert-levels/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- PTV News (relaying an Office of Civil Defense Facebook post of 24 July 2021) — What's in a 'go bag'? — https://ptvnews.ph/whats-in-a-go-bag/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Philippines, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library · Republic Act No. 10639 – The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act checked 2026-10-20
- PAGASA (DOST) · Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal checked 2026-10-20
- PHIVOLCS (DOST) · Volcano Alert Levels checked 2026-10-20
- PTV News (relaying an Office of Civil Defense Facebook post of 24 July 2021) · What's in a 'go bag'? checked 2026-10-20