NPC throws support to Gordon's 'text-for-change' bill

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today thanked the members of the National Press Club (NPC) for expressing strong support to his proposal requiring telecommunication companies (telcos) to remit a portion of their net income from local text messaging to help government fund the country's backlogs in health and education infrastructures.

Gordon expressed gratitude to members of the NPC who assured that they will support Senate Bill (SB) 2402, touted as the 'text-for-change' bill, through fair and balanced reporting of news on the issue.

"We really need the help of our friends from the media to ensure that what goes out in the news are discussions of the real issue and not just diversionary tactics that mislead the public," he said in the recent "No Holds Barred" forum at the NPC Building, Intramuros, Manila.

NPC President Benny Antiporda heeded Gordon's appeal to urge telcos to answer the issue instead of threatening the public that they will bear the brunt once the bill is passed into law.

Antiporda said the NPC supports the noble cause of the measure and that they will extend help for the immediate passage of the bill.

"You can be assured of the National Press Club's support and help to this measure because we know that this bill will benefit not only our children but also our grandchildren and the generations of the future," he said.

Gordon said the support of journalists and newsmen are of much importance to avert the disinformation campaign being set by some sectors to prevent the passage of the bill.

SB 2402, or the Health and Education Acceleration Program (HEAP), proposes that telcos remit part of their net revenues from local text messaging to augment government resources for the improvement of the country's health care and educational systems, without having to pass the brunt to the consumers.

Gordon explained that if 10% from the two billion daily text messages, or P200 million, is remitted to the HEAP Fund, a total of P73 billion will be collected in one year--enough to subsidize the P23.37 billion requirement for education in 2009.

He noted that the number of mobile phone subscribers has significantly increased from 34,600 in 1991 to 71 million in 2008, resulting to two billion text messages sent everyday.