Recognizing the power of VHF radios and walkie-talkies in emergency response, event coordination, and evangelism, the Communication Departments of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) and Davao Mission (DM) partnered with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Region 11 to host the Restricted Land Mobile Radio Operators Seminar at the Davao Mission Conference Hall. This initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 3846, the Radio Control Law, which governs radio communications in the Philippines.
NTC Region 11 Director Nelson T. Cañete underscored the importance of the Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate (RLMOC) for those operating land mobile radio stations. With humor and insight, he remarked, “Adventists are obedient to the Ten Commandments of God, but today I discovered they also obey the 11th—the laws of the NTC.”
The seminar gathered 50 DM workers, 14 SePUM personnel, and 6 members of Walkie Talkie God’s Ministry (WATAGOM)—a group using VHF radios to reach remote communities in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. In areas where mobile signals fail, these “old-fashioned devices” become lifelines for emergency coordination, Bible Study on the Air, and Takna sa Pag-ampo, a prayer broadcast for all sectors.
Sir Rhoen Shane Catolico, SePUM’s Communication Director, expressed gratitude for those who see two-way radios as part of the church’s digital ministry. He quoted Ellen G. White’s call to innovate: “Let every worker in the Master’s vineyard study, plan, devise methods to reach the people where they are. We must do something out of the common course of things. We must arrest the attention.” (Evangelism, 122.4)
Director Cañete explained that the NTC safeguards the invisible commodity of airwaves, regulating frequency, power, and equipment to prevent interference. Only NTC-approved radios may be used, and each operator must identify their station using a unique call sign—making walkie-talkies ideal for organized group communication.
Ma’am Cheryl Lin-ao Hodge, DM Communication and Community Director, emphasized the urgency of sharing the gospel, citing Matthew 24:14. She thanked the NTC and all participants for their united mission to broadcast the most vital message every soul must hear.
SePUM leaders, Pastor Danielo Palomares, Pr. Edwin Magdadaro, and Elder Laurence Lamera, along with DM administrators led by Pastor Reynaldo Merin, personally thanked Director Cañete and his team. They prayed that this orientation and license processing will also cover other missions of the territory in the coming days.
Let us, then, be like the first angel of Revelation—proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people. May our licensed walkie-talkies echo the endurance of the saints, those who keep God’s commandments and hold fast to their faith in Jesus.
