With an overwhelming 272 votes, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the measure renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13).
House Bill (HB) No. 6505 seeks to renew the franchise granted to IBC-13 under Republic Act 8954, authorizing it “to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.”
IBC-13 has five provincial TV stations, with four relay stations, and 11 provincial radio stations.
“The role of broadcasting organization in serving the needs of the public and clients in information, education and entertainment for the Filipino viewers should be given the utmost recognition since the services they perform to all classes of viewers, in general, is beyond qualification,” authors of HB 6505 noted.
Authors of the bill include Reps. Joey Sarte Salceda, Gus S. Tambunting, Shernee A. Tan-Tambut, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Noel “Bong” N. Rivera, and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe.
The bill allows IBC-13 the use of “digital television system, through microwave, satellite or whatever means, as well as the use of any new technology in radio and television systems, with the corresponding technological auxiliaries and facilities, special broadcast and other program and distribution services and relay stations.”
Under the bill, IBC-13 is mandated to construct and operate its stations with minimum interference on the wavelengths or frequencies of existing or future stations without diminishing the quality of its own transmission or reception to ensure maximum rendition and availability of its services.
IBC-13 is required to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction and operation of its facilities.
The NTC may recommend to Congress the revocation of IBC-13’s franchise for violations of its provisions.
Among others, IBC-13 is mandated to provide, free of charge, adequate public service time to enable the government to reach the pertinent population to relay announcements on important public issues, or warnings concerning public emergencies and calamities.
Such public service time shall be equivalent to a maximum aggregate of ten percent (10%) of paid commercials or advertisements, allocated based on need to the Executive and Legislative branches, the Judiciary, Constitutional Commissions, and international humanitarian organizations duly recognized by statutes.
In times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order, the President may temporarily take over and operate its stations or facilities or authorize any government agency to temporarily use the same upon due compensation.
Pursuant to RA No. 8370, otherwise known as the “Children’s Television Act of 1997”, IBC-13 “shall allot a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the daily total air time of each broadcasting network or station to child-friendly shows within its regular programming.”
The bill also requires IBC-13 to “provide at all times sound and balanced programming; promote public participation; assist in the functions of public information and education; conform to the ethics of honest enterprise” and to promote as well audience sensibility and empowerment, including closed captioning.
On the other hand, it is prohibited from using its stations or facilities “for the broadcasting of obscene or indecent language, speech, act, or scene, the dissemination of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation, to the detriment of public interest, or to incite, encourage, or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.”
IBC-13 is not allowed to sell, lease, transfer, grant the usufruct, nor assign its franchise to any other party without the prior approval of Congress. The company is required to submit an annual report to Congress on its compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Unless sooner revoked, the renewed franchise is effective for 25 years. However, it shall be deemed ipso facto revoked if IBC-13 fails to operate continuously for two years.