House Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte wants television and radio frequencies formerly used by ABS-CBN added to the dozens of government-run broadcast tools, albeit temporarily.
Villafuerte filed House Resolution 1044 calling for the temporary use by government of the radio and television frequencies previously assigned to ABS-CBN which lost on Friday its bid for a fresh 25-year legislative franchise to continue broadcasting.
The House official proposed that the vacated broadcast frequencies be used by government to ensure “effective distance learning, instructions, training and other useful purposes” aimed at mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s education.
If the Lower House adopts the resolution and the National Telecommunications Commission grants the request, the former ABS-CBN frequencies will be added to the many broadcast networks already owned or maintained by government.
State media includes IBC-13 and a number of broadcast frequencies under the Philippine Broadcasting Services. Included in the PBS stations are People’s Television 4, Radyo Pilipinas and several FM radio stations.
This will also be the second time government will take over the said frequencies which were seized in 1972 when then President Marcos placed the whole country under martial law.
Government continued to use and operate the frequencies and the ABS-CBN facilities under a dictatorial regime. The Lopez family was able to re-acquire possession of what became one of the leading networks a few years after the downfall of the Marcos regime.
In filing HR 1044, Villafuerte noted a World Bank report that the pandemic has kept out of school over 1.6 billion children and youth in 161 countries.
He said the situation of many students forced out of school is being worsened by the “inequality and inaccessibility of opportunities” such as the lack of internet connectivity and computer gadgets.
The Bicolano solon reasoned that tapping the vacant television and radio frequencies that used to be assigned to ABS CBN “is important in keeping students engaged.”
“Whereas, the unused frequencies may also be used for information on COVID-19 prevention and control, risk reduction and preparedness,” he added.