House leaders push for 25-year franchise renewal of Eagle Broadcasting Corporation House leaders are pushing for the renewal of the franchise granted to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) for another 25 years. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (4th District, Quezon City), Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II (Lone District, Mandaluyong City) and House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairperson Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City) filed House Bill 5227 to extend EBCs legislative franchise effective November 3, 2018. Speaker Belmonte said the measure recognizes EBCs faithful compliance to its mandate providing quality public service to the Filipino society it serves through broadcasts with quality multifaceted content. EBC in its almost half a century of existence, has been protective of the right of the public to information on matters that are of public concern as well as balanced news and content that uphold the morals and public policy of the society, the Speaker said. Further, EBC has been proactive in environment, social and humanitarian concerns, promotion of historical and cultural heritages, promotion of original Filipino values and artistic creation and communitarianism, Belmonte said. EBCs broadcasting expansion abroad through international bureaus and correspondents have opened up windows to the world for the Filipino society, Belmonte added. Under the measure, EBCs franchise shall be renewed, amending Republic Act 4916, as amended by Republic Act 7299, the validity of which is until November 2, 2018, subject to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The renewed franchise shall be in effect for a period of twenty-five years, and shall be deemed ipso facto revoked if EBC fails to operate continuously for two years. Also, the renewed franchise allows EBC to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and or television broadcasting stations, where frequencies and or channels are still available, including digital television and or radio systems, through microwave, satellite or the use of any new technologies in television and radio systems, with the corresponding technological auxiliaries and or facilities, special broadcast, and other program and distribution services and relay stations. The facilities of EBC shall be constructed and operated in the minimum interference on the wavelengths or frequencies of existing stations or other stations which may be established by law, without in any way diminishing its own right to use its selected wavelengths or frequencies and the quality of transmission or reception thereon as should maximize rendition of EBCs services and or availability. The measure requires the EBC to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the appropriate permits and licenses for the operation of its stations and facilities. EBC shall not use any frequency on the radio and television spectrum without authorization from the NTC. Acceptance of the franchise shall be written to the Congress of the Philippines through the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Public Services of the Senate within 60 days from the effectivity of the proposed Act. EBC shall also submit an annual report to the Congress of the Philippines on its compliance with the terms and conditions of the franchise and on its operations on or before April 30 of the succeeding year. Failure to submit the Annual Report to Congress, EBC shall be fined Five Hundred Pesos (P500) per working day of non-compliance, collected by the NTC separate from the reportorial penalties, NTC imposed. Congress of the Philippines shall be informed of any lease, transfer, granting the usufruct of, sale or assignment of franchise or the rights or privileges acquired within sixty days after the completion of said transaction. Failure to report to Congress such change of ownership shall render the franchise ipso fact revoked, and that any person or entity to which this franchise is sold, transferred, or assigned, shall be subject to the same conditions, terms, restrictions and limitations of the proposed Act. A special right is hereby reserved to the President of the Philippines, in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency disaster or disturbance of peace and order, to temporarily take over and operate the stations or facilities of EBC. The President may also temporarily suspend the operation of EBC or its facility in the interest of public safety, security and public welfare, or authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the government, upon due compensation to EBC, for the use of said stations or facilities during the period when they shall be so operated. EBC shall hold the national, provincial, city and municipal governments of the Philippines free from all claims, accounts, demands, or actions arising out of accidents or injuries, whether to property or to persons, caused by the construction or operation of the EBC stations. SOURCE: Media Relations Service, Public Relations and Information Bureau
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 03:45:42 +0000
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