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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate OKs 25-year franchise for UP, other broadcast firms

Senate OKs 25-year franchise for UP, other broadcast firms

Published Mar 25, 2021 09:32 am

The Senate unanimously approved on third and final reading Wednesday, March 24, the bill that would give the University of the Philippines (UP) a fresh 25-year franchise to operate broadcasting stations within its campuses.

Senate PRIB / MANILA BULLETIN

Voting 20-0, senators approved House Bill No. 7616, taking into consideration Senate Bill No. 1462, which seeks to renew the franchise of the UP System granted under Republic Act No. 8160.

The law allowed UP "to construct, establish, maintain, and operate for educational and other purposes radio and television broadcasting stations." The original franchise, granted in September, 1995, is set to expire this year.

DZUP 1602 is the official radio station of the university which airs in Mega Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, with radio programs that are of collaborative effort of its different colleges and units, Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, said earlier.

"Since the start of the pandemic, UP’s station has been focusing on the dissemination of public information such as government issuances and advice on safe practices from the Philippine General Hospital. Recently, it has been providing updates on the COVID-19 vaccines," Poe had said.

Aside from the UP System's franchise, the Senate also approved on Wednesday the franchise for the Davao City government for its disaster preparedness-oriented broadcast station, the Palawan Broadcasting Corporation, and the Highland Broadcasting Network Corp., which also operates in Mindanao.

"While we are welcoming more players in the telecommunications and broadcast industries, we also want to make sure that all applicants are fit to offer their avowed public service,” Poe said.

“TV and radio have been part of our culture as Filipinos where we source critical information on a range of issues. They also serve as crucial lines of communication between and among communities,” she added.

She stressed anew that the grant or renewal of franchise "also bears the responsibility of giving due service to Filipinos who need it the most, the unserved and underserved."

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