President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed new laws, which extended the telecommunication franchise of Smart Broadband Inc. and five other companies.
Three other measures were also signed into law last week, which allowed three other organizations to start their own broadcast operations.
Under Republic Act (RA) 11678, the franchise of Smart Broadband Inc. was extended by another 25 years, which will allow it to continue constructing, installing, establishing, maintaining, leasing and operating wire and other wireless telecommunication systems nationwide throughout the Philippines.
Duterte also signed laws which provided a similar privilege to Mati Telephone Corporation in Davao Oriental (RA 11674); Odiongan Telephone Corporation in Romblon (RA 11675); R.C. Yulo Telephone System, Inc. in the municipalities of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, Murcia, Himamaylan, and Isabela, Province of Negros Occidental (RA 11676); Marbel Telephone System Inc. in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani (RA 1677); and the Bicol Telephone and Telegraph Inc. in Albay and Sorsogon (RA 11679). Samuel P. Medenilla
In a related development, the president signed RA 11681, which allowed Capricom Broadcasting Network Corp. to establish, operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in Tabaco City, Province of Albay and other areas in the Philippines.
Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Broadcasting Foundation Inc. in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (RA 11673) and Southern Luzon State University in Quezon were given the go-signal to launch broadcast operations on the condition that it will be for “educational and other related purpose.”
The said companies and institutions were tasked to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or the appropriate permits and licensees for the construction, installations and operation of its telecommunication systems of facilities.
Each of the grantees must also submit an annual report to Congress regarding their compliance with the terms and conditions of their franchise.
They will be fined P500 per working day if they fail to submit the said report to lawmakers on time.
The nine new laws, which were signed by Duterte last Friday, will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.