Six broadcasting firms and one telecommunications company have been given franchises to build and operate their facilities in the country.
President Duterte has signed the new laws granting the four new franchises of the companies while renewing three others for another 25 years. The copies of the laws signed on July 30 were released by the Palace on Wednesday, August 4.
These companies are Blockbuster Broadcasting Inc.,Tagbilaran Broadcasting System, Servotron Industries, Christian Music Power Inc., Allied Broadcasting Center Incorporated, and St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology, Inc., and Transpacific Broadband Group Int'l Inc.
The new laws included the provisions on the scope and term of the franchise, manner of operations, prior approval of the National Telecommunications, responsibility to the public, and the right of the government.
The new laws signed by the President are the following:
1. Republic Act No. 11577 or an Act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Blockbuster Broadcasting Inc. to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain and radio television broadcasting stations in the Philippines;
2. Republic Act No. 11578 or an Act renewing for another 25 years the franchise given to Tagbilaran Broadcasting System to operate radio and television stations in the Visayas;
3. Republic Act No. 11579 or an Act granting Servotron Industries a franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the country;
4. Republic Act No. 11580 or an Act granting Christian Music Power Inc. a franchise to construct, establish, operate, and maintain radio broadcasting stations in the country;
5. Republic Act No. 11581 renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Transpacific Broadband Group Int'l Inc. to construct, establish, install, maintain and operate communications systems for the reception and transmission of messages within the country;
6. Republic Act No. 11582 granting Allied Broadcasting Center Incorporated a franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the country; and
7. Republic Act No. 11583 granting St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology, Inc. a franchise to construct, operate and maintain radio and television stations in Surigao del Norte and other areas in the country.