The Senate has approved on third and final reading on Monday, Jan. 31, various bills that seek to grant telecommunication companies (telcos) and broadcast firms legislative franchises.
Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, and sponsor of the measures, spearheaded the approval of the various bills from the House of Representatives that sought the grant and renewal of legislative franchises to institutions and companies to enable them to operate in various parts of the country.
These include House Bill No. 9384, which proposes to expand the franchise granted to the Davao City government for its radio broadcasting stations; as well as franchises for Mount Apo Science Foundation College Inc.; HBN 10212, Capricom Broadcasting Network Corp. HBN 10192; Amapola Broadcasting System, HBN 10196; South Cotabato Communications Corp. HBN 10123; Prime Broadcasting Network Inc. HBN 10124; National Council of Churches in the Philippines, HBN 10125; and GVM Radio/TV Corp. HBN 10211.
The Senate also approved on third and final reading the legislative franchises for Ismo Inc. HBN 8971; Aspire Media Technologies and Ventures Inc. HBN 10169; Linkserve Telecommunications Network Inc. HBN 10193; Derecho Telecommunications Inc. HBN 10194; Unicorn Communications Corp. HBN 10195; Purple Flower Telecommunication Corp. HBN 10197; Calapan Telephone System Inc. HBN 8975; Bicol Telephone and Telegraph Inc. HBN 9424; Lukban Telephone System Inc. HBN 9438; Continental Telecommunications System Inc. HBN 9439; Victorias Telephone System Inc. HBN 10182; and General Telephone System Inc. HBN 10183.
The Senate also passed on final reading local bills that seek to establish, convert and upgrade the local offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in 32 locations across the Philippines.
These include LTO offices in the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Norte, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Sur and Bukidnon, among several others.
Moreover, the Upper Chamber approved three House measures seeking to establish offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan (HBN 2590), Bacoor City, Cavite, House Bill 4560 and in Dasmariñas, Cavite, House Bill 5488.