Senate gives franchises to more telcos, broadcast firms

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday several bills granting telecommunications and broadcast companies legislative franchises.

Sponsored by Senate committee on public services chair Sen. Grace Poe, the approved measures from the House of Representatives sought the grant and renewal of legislative franchises to institutions and companies to be able to operate in various parts of the country.

These include House bills proposing to expand the franchise granted to the Davao City government for its radio broadcasting stations as well as franchises for Mt. Apo Science Foundation College Inc., Capricom Broadcasting Network Corp., Amapola Broadcasting System, South Cotabato Communications Corp., Prime Broadcasting Network Inc., National Council of Churches in the Philippines and GVM Radio/TV Corp.

Also approved were the franchises for Ismo Inc. Aspire Media Technologies and Ventures Inc., Linkserve Telecommunications Network Inc., Derecho Telecommunications Inc., Unicorn Communications Corp., Purple Flower Telecommunication Corp., Calapan Telephone System Inc., Bicol Telephone and Telegraph Inc., Lukban Telephone System Inc., Continental Telecommunications System Inc., Victorias Telephone System Inc. and General Telephone System Inc.

The chamber approved a record 166 bills on third and final reading, the most bills approved in a single day in recent Senate history.

Among the measures passed were nine bills of national application including Strengthening Protection Against Trafficking in Persons, Granting COVID-19 Benefits to Health Workers, Promoting the Rights of Abandoned Children, Amendments to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. Charter, Providing Compensation for the Loss of Properties in the Marawi Siege, Regulating the Use of Vintage Automobiles, Creating a Second Congressional Commission on Education, Institutionalizing the Extended Producer Responsibility and Declaring Aug. 30 as National Press Freedom Day.

“I am glad that everyone has been amenable to working overtime, so we can pass these important bills before adjournment, especially bills like the Marawi Compensation Act and the Allowances for Health Workers Act, which a lot of people have been waiting for. This really is a working Senate, and I am so proud to be part of it,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

A majority of the bills are of local importance, creating state universities and colleges, primary and secondary schools, hospitals and marine hatcheries, and the establishment of provincial offices for the Commission on Higher Education, Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to bring these agencies closer to the people.

“We hope our colleagues in the House of Representatives appreciate our efforts to pass these local bills. Having been a congressman myself, I know how hard they work to deliver the necessary legislation for their respective constituents, and so I am very glad that we have all been able to efficiently work together for our people,” Zubiri said.