Duterte grants new 25-year franchises to four broadcast firms

President Rodrigo Duterte —MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed laws granting 25-year franchises to four firms to operate broadcasting stations, Malacañang announced on Wednesday as it released copies of the laws.

Christian Power Music Inc. got a franchise to operate a radio broadcasting station. The three other firms got franchises to operate radio and television broadcasting stations — namely, the St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology Inc., Servotron Industries Inc., and Allied Broadcasting Center Inc.

Under the law, the firms must secure permits and licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to construct and operate their broadcast stations or facilities.

The NTC can revoke or suspend the permits or licenses it issued in case of any violation of the franchise provisions.

The law also mandates the franchise holder to “reach the pertinent populations or portions thereof on important public issues and relay important public announcements and warnings concerning public emergencies and calamities.”

The grantee’s facilities must not be used “for broadcasting absence or indecent language or scene and dissemination of false information to the detriment of the public, or to incite or assist subversive or treasonable acts.”

Apart from granting franchises, Duterte also signed laws renewing for 25 years each the franchises of Blockbuster Broadcasting System Inc., Tagbilaran Broadcasting System Inc., and Transpacific Broadband Group Int’l Inc.

KGA / ATM