By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
The Iloilo City government is open to the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) request to block mobile signals in high-density areas during the 2025 Dinagyang Festival, but only if it is limited to specific areas and does not affect the entire city and neighboring towns.
Joy Fantilaga, spokesperson for Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, said on Monday that the mayor opposes signal jamming measures that disrupt connectivity in neighboring towns and even as far as Guimaras.
“If there is a specific device [for limited jamming], there wouldn’t be a problem according to Mayor Treñas,” Fantilaga said. “But if other towns and provinces, including Guimaras, would be affected, the mayor will not allow it.”
Fantilaga acknowledged the ICPO’s security concerns but noted that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) lacks the technology for targeted signal jamming.
“If the signal jamming is intended to enhance the safety and security of the city, residents, and tourists during the Dinagyang Festival, it is a welcome and justifiable measure,” she said. “However, the NTC does not have the specific technical capabilities for the type of jamming being requested.”
She added that the mayor wants to avoid the widespread disruptions seen in previous years, where signal shutdowns affected not just Iloilo City but also nearby towns and Guimaras, inconveniencing many Ilonggos.
Call for Clarification
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, speaking to Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, said the city council has yet to receive the ICPO’s formal request. He expects the letter to be endorsed by Mayor Treñas.
Cabaluna also urged the ICPO to clarify their request, specifying whether they seek targeted signal jamming or a complete signal shutdown. He noted that past shutdowns caused significant issues, leading the city government to reject a similar request in 2024 after complaints from the business sector in 2023.
“What happens is that they [ICPO] request for jamming, but they have no capability to implement it,” Cabaluna explained. “Instead, they go through the NTC, which also lacks the capacity, so they request telecommunications companies to shut down cell sites.”
Concerns Over Disruptions
Cabaluna highlighted the broader impact of signal shutdowns, including interruptions to banking, ATM, and credit card transactions that affect businesses and tourists. He also mentioned the adverse effects on industries reliant on connectivity, such as business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, delivery services, and public safety agencies.
“The CDRRMO [City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office] admitted that they struggled to respond because they lacked connectivity,” Cabaluna said. “It’s important to balance public safety with minimizing disruptions to essential services and livelihoods.”
