SENATE APPROVES TELCOS, BROADCAST FRANCHISES

The Senate approved on third and final reading the franchise bids of companies involving telecommunications and broadcast.

The two telcos are Dito Telecommunity Corp. and Instant Data Inc., while the four broadcast stations include the Highland Broadcasting Network Corp., University of the Philippines System, Davao City Radio Broadcasting Station, and Palawan Broadcasting Corp.

Sen. Grace Poe noted earlier that the provisions of all franchises were standardized regardless of popularity and extent of coverage where each one was carefully studied, scrutinized and weighed vis-a-vis the overall benefits to society.

"While we are welcoming more players in the telecommunications and broadcast industries, we also want to make sure that all applicants are fit to offer their avowed public service," Poe said.

Poe previously underscored the importance of the role of broadcast firms in distance learning and implored the franchise applicants to use this privilege to help students cope with the new modalities of learning.

"TV and radio have been part of our culture as Filipinos where we source critical information on a range of issues. They also serve as crucial lines of communication between and among communities," said Poe.

The senator emphasized that the privilege of being granted or renewed a franchise also bears the responsibility of giving due service to Filipinos who need it the most, the unserved and underserved.