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Guide for Sending SMS Messages to the Philippines
Review the guidelines and restrictions for sending SMS messages to recipients in the Philippines. This information is for general informational purposes only. This information doesn't, and isn't intended to, constitute legal advice. Consult your own independent legal counsel for guidance on use cases and applicable legal and industry requirements.
| Short Code | International Long Code | Local Long Code | Alphanumeric sender ID | |
| Supported | No | No | Yes (Inbound MO only) | Yes |
| Two-way Support | -- | -- | No (Inbound MO only) | -- |
| Provisioning Time | -- | -- | 2 weeks | 1 week |
| Comments | -- | -- | -- | Requires preregistration |
SMS Code Provisioning Guidelines
Use a custom alphanumeric sender ID with an international long code set up for one-way sending. Manage opt-outs with a local long code. Alphanumeric sender IDs must be associated with the brand, enterprise, product, or service. These sender IDs can include only alphanumeric characters or spaces. Local carriers must approve and allowlist all requests before deployment. Your code is deactivated if you don't use it to send messages for three months.
Use a local long code to manage STOP and HELP requests for alphanumeric code sends. Include a call-to-action message by using the local long code number in the alphanumeric sends.
Register your codes with letters of authorization, a general information sheet demonstrating local ownership, and trademark certificates for alphanumeric sender IDs that differ from your enterprise name.
Banks and financial services must also include a local trade license and a regulatory industry license.
All messages must contain your company, brand, or service name at the beginning of that message. Include an opt-out call to action at the end of the message.
Restricted Content
You’re responsible for complying with local rules and regulations. To ensure compliance, familiarize yourself with the legislation of the local market. Failure to comply can result in service suspension, cancellation, and potential fines. The Philippines generally forbid content related, but not limited to, these products and services:
Send all marketing messages from Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 3 PM (GMT+08:00). Don't send marketing messages on Sundays and public holidays.
Best Practices and Compliance References
Telecommunications in the Philippines are regulated by National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
