Bills seeking to renew franchises of 4 broadcast firms get Senate nod

The Senate approved today on third and final reading bills which seek to renew franchises of four broadcasting companies extending its validity for 25 more years.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Committee on Public Services, sponsored House Bill Nos. 4136, 5635, 5349 and 5716 seeking to renew the franchises of the Manila Broadcasting Company, Bright Star Broadcasting Corp., Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp. and Vanguard Radio Network Company, Inc.

"Broadcasting services are the nervous system of our society as they connect communities and families through a seamless flow of information," Poe said.

"The Committee deems it fit to integrate a new provision mandating the grantees decent and productive employment opportunities as well as apprenticeship programs or on-the-job trainings for students and young Filipinos," Poe added.

Manila Broadcasting Company, known by its call sign dzRH, has been operating since 1939.

In her sponsorship speech, Poe noted that radio dzRH has played a big role in the nation's history from World War II to the EDSA Revolution until the administrations of former Presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III.

Bright Star or Retro 105.9 DCG-FM plays a diverse mix of retro pop, dance, hip-hop, rap, R&B, new wave and soul music.

"Bright Star is also currently striving to be of service to the Filipino people through the delivery of timely and accurate news and information, as well as relevant education and social programs," Poe said.

Bright Star was created on April 1, 1992.

Vanguard Radio, for its part, was created in 1961 with broadcast stations in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Baguio City, La Union, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Cauayan, Isabela Tuguegarao City, Cagayan and Tagbiliran City, Bohol.

Aside from providing news and entertainment, Vanguard Radio strives to inform people of the products and services of small entrepreneurs in their broadcast area.

Notre Dame Broadcasting, founded in 1956, is based in Kidapawan City and an affiliate of the Catholic Media Network.

"Congress has the responsibility to ensure that only the most qualified individuals and organizations should be granted this privilege," Poe said.