Press Release
December 7, 2015

Senate approves bills on franchises of radio, television networks

The Senate today approved on third and final reading five local bills seeking to renew the franchises of several radio and television broadcasting services for a period of 25 years.

Sen. Serge Osmeña, Acting chairman of the Committee on Public Services, said the passage of House Bills No. 5531, 5532, 5391, 5226 and 5227 into law would allow the Radio Mindanao Network, Interactive Broadcast Media, Inc., Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Christian Era Broadcasting Service International Inc. and Eagle Broadcasting Corporation to continue their operation for another 25 years, subject to amendment, alteration or repeal by Congress.

Osmeña said the continued operation of the five radio and television networks would generate additional jobs, create career opportunities for the people and continue to provide the Filipino people with additional access to information to help them in their daily lives.

"Radio and television continue to deliver effective means of educating our people and keeping them informed despite the advancement of the internet as our primary databank of information," he said.

"Broadcast media is particularly important in areas where reliable internet connection is lacking," he added. According to Osmeña, the five networks had complied the requirements prescribed by law. He said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) had also no objection to the renewal of the franchises.

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