WITH an overwhelming 272 votes, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the measure renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13).
House Bill (HB) No. 6505 seeks to renew the franchise granted to IBC-13 under Republic Act 8954, authorizing it “to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.”
IBC-13 has five provincial TV stations, with four relay stations, and 11 provincial radio stations.
“The role of broadcasting organization in serving the needs of the public and clients in information, education and entertainment for the Filipino viewers should be given the utmost recognition since the services they perform to all classes of viewers, in general, is beyond qualification,” authors of HB 6505 noted.
Authors of the bill include Reps. Joey Sarte Salceda, Gus S. Tambunting, Shernee A. Tan-Tambut, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Noel “Bong” N. Rivera, and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe.
The bill allows IBC-13 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.”
Under the bill, IBC-13 is mandated to construct and operate its stations with minimum interference on the wavelengths or frequencies of existing or future stations without diminishing the quality of its own transmission or reception to ensure maximum rendition and availability of its services.
IBC-13 is required to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction and operation of its facilities.
The NTC may recommend to Congress the revocation of IBC-13’s franchise for violations of its provisions.
Among others, IBC-13 is mandated to provide, free of charge, adequate public service time to enable the government to reach the pertinent population to relay announcements on important public issues, or warnings concerning public emergencies and calamities.
