Senator Grace Poe on Monday said the non-expiration of legislative franchises with pending renewal application with Congress will help avert job losses that could push more Filipinos further into financial concern.
Poe, who was one of the 21 senators who voted yes on the third and final reading approval of Senate Bill No. 1530, stressed it is important to spare the people from situations that could lead to financial distress.
Senate Bill No. 1530 seeks the non-expiration of legislative franchises whose renewal application remains pending in Congress, amending Section 18, Book VII, Chapter 3 of the Revised Administrative Code.
“At the heart of every franchise termination is not just business closure, but also loss of income source for hundreds of our people who have families and dependents,” Poe said.
“We must spare our people from this unjust situation that is not of their own doing,” she added.
The measure proposes to cover legislative franchises in the current law that allows licenses to remain effective until a final determination by a granting agency. This will apply to applications for renewal filed on time.
Under the bill, “existing license or franchise shall not expire until the application shall have been finally determined by the agency, department, or branch of government authorized to grant or renew the license or franchise.”
“There is final determination when an applicant is given written notice of approval or denial of its application for renewal,” the bill stated.
Citing the case of ABS-CBN Corp., Poe said companies have been forced to shut down with the expiration of their legislative franchise even when their application remains pending.
It could be recalled, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN after the Supreme Court ruled that those without franchises are barred from operating.
The act resulted in the displacement of thousands of the employees of the network.
Poe said it is imperative that Congress immediately act on franchise renewal applications and not leave their fate hanging.
“The government must encourage not extinguish businesses,” Poe stressed.
“Protecting our people's jobs is pivotal to an equitable economic recovery from the pandemic and recent calamities,” she also said.