Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7819

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING MANDATORY AIRTIME FROM TELEVISION AND RADIO
STATIONS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC,
SAFEGUARDING THE PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO INFORMATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

This measure seeks to contribute to the realization of the mandate in Article II, Section
24 of the 1987 Constitution which states that "the State recognizes the vital role of
communication and information in nation-building.”

The power of media to transmit government policy and law, as well as urgent and
important public information, remains to be fully utilized for public information and
education. This power should be harnessed for the common good instead of being
abused for political messaging and propaganda.

In an effort to harness the power of media for the benefit of the people, this bill requires
online news and broadcast media to allocate a portion of their airtime to publicize
existing and recently enacted laws, advertise government benefits and services, and
announce vital information in the event of emergencies, and other matters of public
interest.

A disciplined society requires information. The State as guardian of the rights of the
people should ensure that they are well-informed of their rights and well-aware of
matters regarding their public safety, civic duties and responsibilities.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

st

LUIS RAYMU| 'LRAY”/F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO/819

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING MANDATORY AIRTIM E FROM TELEVISION AND RADIO
STATIONS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC,
SAFEGUARDING THE PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO INFORMATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This law shall be known as the "Public Service Announcement
Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State affirms the role of communication and
information in nation-building. It is a viable tool that can be used in promoting the
welfare of its citizens, at all times, and to apprise them on matters that affect the
exercise of their legal rights. In an effort to make known the government's services,
various forms of media platforms should be utilized in order to disseminate information
on matters of public concern.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean as follows:

(a) Online News Services - pertains to the online version of a periodical, either as a
stand-alone publication or the online version of a printed newspaper. This also
includes online news which may be viewed through a website or an application.

(b) Traditional Broadcast Media - shall include all television (TV) and radio stations
that obtain franchise from the government, in order to air audio and video content to
the public.

(c) Public Concern - a wide-range of issues that would directly affect the exercise of
the legal rights of the public or those that would cost the deprivation of their life, liberty
or property.


(d) Public Service Time - adequate time to be allotted by each broadcast medium in a
day to air announcements on matters of public concern.

Section 4. Coverage. - All online news and broadcast media shall provide public
service time of at least three (3) minutes per day to enable the government to educate
and increase the awareness of the people on matters, such as but not limited to:

a, newly enacted laws and/or its implementing rules and regulations; and
b. services offered by various government agencies and instrumentalities.

Other matters which may require the exercise of their legal rights or those that may
increase their awareness on matters of public concern may also be a valid subject of
advertisement to be aired in the said broadcast media. Provided, That, such public
service time shall not be in lieu of the publication requirement as provided in the
existing and newly enacted laws.

Provided, Further that, in cases of emergency or exigency, as determined by national
government or the local government unit concerned, additional airtime shall be given
for public service announcements, which shall be determined upon consultation with
the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA).

Section 5. Lead Agency. - The PIA shall be the lead agency in the implementation of
this Act. It shall coordinate with the other branches of the government and various
government agencies in order to cause the production of public service commercials
designed to promote and inform the public on the existing and newly enacted laws, its
implementing rules and regulations, services being offered by the respective
government agencies, and other matters of public concern. Provided, That, all public
service commercials shall indicate the available webpage where the public can access
the full text of the law and/or its implementing rules and regulations as well as the
webpage, office, and contact details of the concerned government agency whose
services is currently being advertised.

Section 6. Penalty. - Failure of any TV or radio station facility to provide the required
public service time under Section 4 of this Act shall be ground for suspension,
revocation, or non-renewal of license to operate TV or radio networks.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Director General of the PIA in coordination with the KBP,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any separable provision of this Act be declared
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force.


Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,