Bill renewing IBC-13 franchise for another 25 years secures final House nod

House of Representatives logo and plenary. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill granting state-owned media network Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation 13 (IBC – 13) a fresh 25-year franchise.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, a total of 272 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill No. 6505, which seeks to authorize the IBC to maintain and operate its radio and television broadcasting stations across the country.

The bill proposes to allow IBC the use of “digital television system, through microwave, satellite or whatever means, as well as the use of any new technology in radio and television systems, with the corresponding technological auxiliaries and facilities, special broadcast and other program and distribution services and relay stations.”

The authors of the proposed measure – Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, Parañanque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, Kusug Tausug Party Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut, Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe – called to acknowledge the role of IBC in providing information, education and entertainment to the Filipino audience, noting that “the services they perform to all classes of viewers, in general, is beyond qualification.”

The franchise of IBC is slated to expire on Sept. 2, 2025 but if granted the renewal, the government-owned and controlled corporation will be allowed to air until 2050 unless sooner revoked.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) may recommend to Congress the cancellation of IBC’s franchise for violations of its provisions.

Among other key provisions of the bill, IBC is required to provide adequate and free-of-charge, public service air time to relay announcements on important public issues or warnings concerning public emergencies and calamities to a wider scope of audience.

The President may also temporarily take over and operate IBC’s facilities and stations, or authorize any government agency to do so, in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster or disturbance of peace and order.

Each of IBC’s network or station should also allot at least 15 percent of its daily total air time “to child-friendly shows within its regular programming.”

In September last year, then Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles warned about a network shutdown hanging over the heads of IBC employees in January as it had initially received zero funding in the proposed national budget for 2023.

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JPV