Duterte extends, grants new franchises to INC, MORE Power, etc.

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the extension of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) franchise for its private radio telecommunication service for another 25 years.

Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11219 on February 14, 2019, which extended the franchise granted to INC – under Republic Act No. 4339, as amended by Republic Act No. 7225 – to “construct, establish, install, maintain, operate,” among others,  radio stations for “private telecommunications or electronic services in the Philippines and other countries and territories as public interest may warrant.”

Duterte also signed measures granting 25-year franchise to Monte Oro Resources and Energy Power and Electric Co. (MORE Power); and Malindang Broadcasting Network Corporation.

In signing Republic Act 11212 also on February 14, 2019, Duterte allowed MORE Power to distribute electricity in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, the 25-year franchise of Malindang Broadcasting Network Corporation was granted through Republic Act No. 11193, which Duterte signed on January 18, 2019.

This franchise allows Malindang to “construct, install operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in Mindanao.”

Moreover, Duterte extended the franchise of Ermita Electronics Incorporated for another 25 years via Republic Act No. 11204 signed on February 14, 2019.

Under this new law, Ermita Electronics was mandated to carry out excavation and restoration works for “maintaining poles and other supports for wires or other conductors and for other purpose of laying and maintaining underground wires, cables pipes and to make excavations or lay conduits in any of the public places.” Consuelo Marquez, INQUIRER.net /kga