A debate over the sound of the emergency text alert from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has emerged online as Filipinos receive messages amid this rainy season.
As Pinoys endure gloomy weather for over a week due to the effects of the habagat (southwest monsoon), which has been enhanced by tropical cyclones around the country, government-issued text alerts have become more frequent.
The text alerts are accompanied by a warning tone that continues to sound until the recipient has read the message.
With the rainy weather persisting, receiving emergency alerts has become an increasingly familiar part of daily life for many Filipinos.
Some, however, are not too fond of the alerts, describing them as inconvenient at times, particularly when they arrive while people are already resting or preparing to end their day.
Such reactions have sparked discussions about the government’s emergency text alerts, with some pointing out that their purpose is to warn the public about natural disasters and other calamities.
Pero yun diba ang objective talaga. Para ma-Alert ang mga tao, anyway keepsafe everyone 🥹🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/aiKtQEVH5T
— Baloy (@akobaloy) August 9, 2026
“‘Pahinaan pa konti’ is such a privilege check ta’s dinugtungan pa ng ‘matutulog na ‘yung tao,’ like, the city is sinking na sa baha at sobrang lakas na ng ulan and [your] issue is how loud NDRRMC alerts are?” an online user wrote.
“Finals namin this week ta’s SOBRANG nairita ako [cause] I was about to sleep at 2 a.m. ta’s right when I was about to go to doze off, biglang nag-alert pero like, check [your] privilege talaga, na minor inconvenience lang ‘yung NDRRMC alerts eh, ‘yung iba, lubog na sa baha,” another commented.
“Gets na gusto matulog. Pero ‘di naman alam ng NDRMMC sino ‘yung need ng alerts at sino yung mga selfish, sensitive, and privileged kid na tulad ni lovemayx_ na hindi kailangan ng alerts kasi nasa safe siyang lugar, unlike many other Filipinos,” an X user wrote.
Others also shared instances when the alerts had proven useful to them or others in the past.
“I once explained this to my parents na the point IS to WAKE YOU UP because THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. And I had to cite that one interview where someone shared that they woke up in time due to NDRMMC alert that there is a tsunami alert due to an earthquake at 3 a.m. ata ‘yun,” an X user wrote.
“Ang b*b* ng mga ganito, paanong pahihinaan, eh ang point nga is to alert people. Nagising ako ng 6 a.m. kanina dahil diyan, ‘yun pala Level 6 na ilog samin,” another commented.
Raffy Magno, an executive at a non-government organization, said the inconvenience caused by the emergency text alerts “is very much welcome if it means helping keep more people safe.”
“These alerts are meant to catch our attention and make sure we are aware of possible dangers around us. If anything, it is also a good sign that we now have systems that can warn us early and give us time to prepare,” he wrote.
“Mas mabuti nang maabala nang kaunti pero handa, kaysa walang babala kapag may panganib na,” Magno added.
One can turn off the “Emergency Alerts” option on iPhone and Android devices if one does not want to be bothered by the warning tone.
The option can be found in the phones’ “Settings” app, specifically under “Notifications” on iPhones and Android devices.
For some Android devices, it can be found under the “Safety and Emergency” option in “Settings.”
The NDRRMC has been trending amid the inclement weather experienced by Filipinos due to the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon.
Residents, including those in Metro Manila, are experiencing heavy flooding and some landslides due to the persistent downpours that have been ongoing for over a week.
The NDRRMC said at least eight people have died due to Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay, as well as the enhanced habagat that has been affecting the country.
Meanwhile, thousands have been displaced from their homes after being evacuated due to the effects of the inclement weather.
The NDRMMC is mandated to inform people about natural disasters and calamities through text messages under Republic Act 10639, or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, which was enacted after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Under the law, the National Telecommunications Commission and private mobile phone service providers are responsible for sending the text alerts, with information coming from government agencies.
The alerts are intended to “prevent injuries, destruction and loss of lives and property.”
The law states that people located near and within the affected areas are supposed to receive the alerts.
“The alerts shall include contact information of local government units and other agencies required to respond to the situation. The alerts may contain other relevant information such as, but not limited to, evacuation areas, relief sites and pick-up points,” it said.
“The alerts shall be at no cost, whether direct or indirect, to the consumers; and shall be included as part of the service providers auxiliary service. The alerts may be in the form of SMS (text messages), MMS, or email, as needed and appropriate,” the law added.
