The Senate approved on second reading a measure renewing the franchise of Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC 13) for another 25 years during its plenary session on Wednesday, January 22.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, defended House Bill No. 6505, which aims to extend the government-owned network’s operations.
“Before the current management took over, IBC 13 was mismanaged, had a lot of debts, and was not profitable; in fact, it was even operating at a loss,” Tulfo said.
“When the new management came in, they made many changes, including purchasing new equipment. They are trying to modernize IBC 13 to better serve the public in terms of delivering news, information, and other programs that the public needs,” he added.
The senator noted that the modernization efforts have increased the network’s value and expressed optimism that the franchise renewal could raise IBC 13’s worth to P3 billion over the next 25 years.
Tulfo added that the renewal would allow IBC to compete with larger networks and improve its service to the public.
“It will not only save jobs but may also create even more opportunities. Additionally, the legacy of IBC 13, which many of us grew up with, will be saved,” said Senator Joel Villanueva, expressing his support for the measure.
The IBC franchise is set to expire in September 2025, making its renewal a pressing issue for lawmakers.
The House of Representatives previously approved the measure unanimously, reflecting bipartisan support for IBC 13’s continued operations.