Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

6168

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Undoubtedly, broadcast industry plays a vital role in the development and growth in the
Philippines and, ultimately, in shaping our country’s future. It promotes public participation and
influences public opinion on important matters concerning our country.

It is noteworthy to emphasize, however, that broadcast industry is capital intensive and
high technology dependent. In other words, to fully hamess and utilize its benefits, substantial
and considerable investments on emerging and modem broadcasting facilities are needed.
Needless to state, only after investing in a state-of-art, sophisticated, and efficient broadcasting
and transmission system can we expect positive changes and improvement in the means
information is received by, and disseminated to, the public.

‘Thus, it is imperative that the government continue to play an active role in sustaining
and encouraging the development of the broadcast industry. The government has to attract,
promote and welcome more capital infusion and investments into the broadcast industry.
Equally important, the government also has to ensure that any and all existing media
infrastructure and facilities are utilized to the fullest extent possible and that the owners/
investors thereof could continue their service and assistance to the nation.

In its commitment to provide innovative ways to deliver public service to the Filipino
people, Byers Communication, Inc. (Byers) has made, and intends to make, significant capital
investments to upgrade, improve, and enhance its broadcasting facilities and transmission
system, ‘These investments are expected to continue with the government-mandated shift from
analog transmission to digital transmission. In recognition of the capital requirements of Byers’
operations, the renewal and expansion of its franchise are recommended to fully utilize the
capital invested therein, to ensure the uninterrupted, nationwide, and improved delivery of its
services to the Filipino people, to fully assist the government in disseminating information to the
people, and to enrich, enhance, and improve the broadcasting system in our country.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

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HON. ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6163

Introduced by REP. ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA.

AN ACT

AMENDING AND RENEWING FOR ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS THE
FRANCHISE GRANTED TO BYERS COMMUNICATIONS, INC. UNDER
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8107 ENTITLED “AN ACT GRANTING THE BYERS
COMMUNICATIONS, INC., A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, ESTABLISH,
OPERATE AND MAINTAIN RADIO BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION
STATIONS WITHIN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AND CENTRAL
VISAYAS REGION”

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

SECTION 1. Republic Act Numbered 8107 is hereby amended to read as follows:

[Section 1. Subject to the provision of the Constitution, as well as other
applicable laws and their amendments, the Byers Communications Inc., its
successor or assigns, hereunder referred to as the grantee, shall be granted a
franchise to construct, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes
and in the public interest radio broadcasting and television stations nationwide.

Sec. 2. The radio broadcasting and television stations shall not be put in
actual operation until the National Telecommunications Commission shall have
allotted to the grantee the frequencies, wavelengths, and channels to be used
under this franchise and determined the stations to and from which each
frequency and wavelength may be used, and issued license for such use.

The National Telecommunications Commission, on reasonable notice to
the grantee may, at any time, change, cancel, or modify, in whole or in part any
or all of the allotments of frequencies or wavelengths to be used. It may take such
action: (1) whenever in its judgment such frequencies and wavelengths have
been used or there is danger that they will be used by the grantee to impair
electrical communications, or stifle competition, or to obtain a monopoly in

electrical communications, or to secure unreasonable rates for such


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communications, or to violate otherwise the laws or public policy of the
Philippines Republic; (2) whenever in its judgment the public interest of the
Republic of the Philippines requires that such frequencies and wavelengths be
used for other purposes than those of the grantee, either by the government of
the Philippines or by other individuals or corporations licensed by it; and (3)
whenever in its judgment, for any reason, the public interest of the Philippines so
requires.

Sec.3. This franchise is granted for a period of twenty-five (25) years and
upon the express condition that the same shall be void unless the construction of
the station be completed within two (2) years from the date of the approval of
this Act.

Sec. 4. This franchise is likewise granted on the condition that the
grantee shall provide adequate public service time to enable the government,
through the said radio broadcasting, and television stations, to reach the
population on important public issues; assist in the functions of public
information and education; conform to the ethics of honest enterprise; and not
use its stations for the broadcasting and/or telecasting of obscene or indecent
language, speech, act or scene or for the dissemination of deliberately false
information or willful misinterpretation to the detriment of the public interest, or
to incite, encourage, or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.

Sec. 5. The grantee, its heirs, successors or assign, shall so construct and
operate its radio and television stations so as not to interfere with the operation
of other radio and television stations maintained and operated in the Philippines.

Sec. 6. The grantee shall not require any previous censorship of any
speech, play, act, scene or other matter to be broadcast and or telecast from its
stations: provided, that, the grantee, during any broadcast and/or telecast, shall
scene or other matter being broadcasting/or telecast, if the tendency thereof is to
propose and/or incite treason, rebellion, or sedition, or the language used
therein on the theme thereof is indecent or immoral, and willful failure to do so
shall constitute a valid cause for the cancellation of this franchise.

Sec. 7. The grantee shall hold the national, provincial, 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 person,
caused by the construction or operation of the stations of the grantee.

Sec. 8. A special right is hereby reserved to the President of the


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Philippines in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster,
or disturbance of peace and order, to take over and operate the said stations or to
authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the
government, upon due compensation to the grantee, for the use of said stations
during the period when they shall be so operated.

Sec, 9. The President of the Philippines shall have the power and
authority to permit the construction of said stations or any of them on any land
of the public domain upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe.

Sec. 10, No private property shall be taken for any purpose by the grantee
of this franchise, its successors or assigns, without proper condemnation
proceedings and just compensation paid or tendered thereof, and any authority
to take and occupy land obtained herein shall not authorize the taking, use, or
occupation of any land except such as is required for the actual necessary
purposes for which this franchise is granted. All lands or rights of use and
occupation of lands granted to the grantee, its heirs, successors or assigns shall,
upon its revocation or repeal, revert to the national, provincial, or municipal
government to which such land or right to use and occupy belonged at the time
of the grant hereof or the right to use and occupy the same was conceded to the
grantee herein, its heirs, successors or assigns.

See. 11, The right is hereby reserved to the government of the Philippines,
through the National Telecommunications Commission or such other
government agencies as may hereafter be duly authorized, to fix the maximum
rate or charges to be charged by the grantee.

Sec. 12. As a condition of the granting of this franchise, the grantee shall
execute a bond in favor of the government of the Philippines in the sum of Fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) in form and with sureties satisfactory to the
Secretary of Transportation and Communications conditioned upon the faithful
performance of the grantee's obligations hereunder during the first four (4) years
of the life of this franchise. If, after four (4) years from the date of the approval of
this franchise, the grantee shall approval of this franchise, the grantee shall have
fulfilled the said conditions, the bond shall be cancelled by the Secretary of
Transportation and Communications, otherwise it shall be forfeited in favor of
the government.

Sec. 13. Acceptance of this franchise shall be given in writing within six

(6) months after approval of this Act. Upon acceptance by the grantee and upon.


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approval of the bond required under Section 12 of this Act by the Secretary of
Transportation and Communication, the grantee shall be empowered to exercise
the privileges granted thereby.

Sec. 14. The grantee shall not lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, sell nor
assign this franchise, or the rights or privileges acquired there under to any
person, firm, company, corporation or other commercial or legal entity, nor
merge with any other person, company or corporation organized for the same
purpose, without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines. Any
corporation to which this. franchise may be sold, transferred, or assigned shall be
subject to all conditions, terms, restrictions, and limitations of this franchise as
fully and completely and to the same extent as if the franchise had been
originally granted to the said person, firm, company, corporation or other
commercial or legal entity.

See, 15. In the event of any competing individual, partnership or
corporation receiving, from the Congress a similar franchise in which there shall
be any term or terms more favorable than those herein granted or tending to
place the herein grantee at any disadvantage, then such term shall ipso facto
become part of the terms hereof and shall operate equally in favor of the grantee
as in the case of said competing individual, partnership or corporation.

Sec. 16. The grantee shall be liable to pay the same taxes on their real
estate, buildings and personal property, exclusive of this franchise, as other
persons, natural or juridical, are now or hereafter may be required by law to pay.
In addition thereto, the grantee, its successors or assigns, shall pay a franchise tax
at such percentage as may be required by law on all gross receipts of the
radio/television business transacted under this franchise by the grantee, its
successors or assigns: provided, that the grantee, its successors or assigns, shall
continue to be liable for income taxes payable under Title II of the National
Internal Revenue Code pursuant to Sec. 2 of Executive Order No. 72 unless the
Jatter enactment is amended or repealed, in which case the amendment or repeal
shall be applicable thereto. The grantee file the return with and pay the tax due
thereon to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue of his duly authorized
representative in accordance with the National Internal Revenue Code and the
return shall be subject to audit by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Sec. 17. This franchise shall be subject to amendment, alteration or repeal
by the Congress of the Philippines when the public interest so requires and shall


not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the privileges herein provided for.
Sec. 18. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

“SECTION 1. NATURE AND SCOPE OF FRANCHISE. - SUBJECT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION AND APPLICABLE LAWS,
RULES AND REGULATIONS, THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO BYERS
COMMUNICATIONS, INC., HEREUNDER REFERRED TO AS THE GRANTEE, ITS
SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNEES, UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8107, TO CONSTRUCT,
INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN FOR COMMERCIAL
PURPOSES, INCLUDING FOR PAY-SERVICE, AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST,
RADIO AND/OR TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE
PHILIPPINES, WHERE FREQUENCIES AND/OR CHANNELS ARE STILL.
AVAILABLE FOR RADIO AND/OR TELEVISION BROADCASTING, INCLUDING
DIGITAL TELEVISION SYSTEM, THROUGH MICROWAVE, SATELLITE OR
WHATEVER MEANS, INCLUDING THE USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN
TELEVISION AND = RADI20_ SYSTEMS, WITH THE CORRESPONDING
TECHNOLOGICAL AUXILIARIES AND FACILITIES, SPECIAL BROADCAST AND.
OTHER PROGRAM AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND RELAY STATIONS, IS
HEREBY RENEWED FOR ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS FROM THE
EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT.”

“SEC. 2. MANNER OF OPERATION OF STATIONS OR FACILITIES. - THE
STATIONS OR FACILITIES OF THE GRANTEE SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED AND
OPERATED IN A MANNER AS WILL, AT MOST, RESULT ONLY 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 THE GRANTEE'S
SERVICES AND/OR AVAILABILITY THEREOF.”

“SEC. 3. PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION. - THE GRANTEE SHALL SECURE FROM THE NATIONAL.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NTC), THE APPROPRIATE PERMITS
AND LICENSES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF ITS STATIONS
AND FACILITIES, AND SHALL NOT USE ANY FREQUENCY IN THE


RADIO/TELEVISION SPECTRUM WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM THE NTC.
THE NTC, HOWEVER, SHALL NOT UNREASONABLY WITHHOLD OR DELAY THE
GRANT OF SUCH AUTHORITY.”

“SEC. 4, RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC. - THE GRANTEE SHALL
PROVIDE ADEQUATE PUBLIC SERVICE TIME TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT,
THROUGH THE SAID BROADCASTING STATIONS OR FACILITIES, TO REACH
THE POPULATION ON IMPORTANT PUBLIC ISSUES; PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES
SOUND AND BALANCED PROGRAMMING; PROMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
SUCH AS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING; ASSIST IN THE FUNCTIONS OF
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION; CONFORM TO THE ETHICS OF
HONEST ENTERPRISE; AND NOT USE ITS STATIONS AND FACILITIES FOR THE
BROADCASTING OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT LANGUAGE, SPEECH, ACT OR
SCENE OR FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF DELIBERATELY FALSE INFORMATION
OR WILLFUL MISREPRESENTATION, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE PUBLIC
IN’ * OR TO INCITE, ENCOURAGE OR ASSIST IN SUBVERSIVE OR
TREASONABLE ACTS.”

5. RIGHT OF GOVERNMENT. - 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 THE GRANTEE, TO TEMPORARILY
SUSPEND THE OPERATION OF ANY STATION OR FACILITY IN THE INTEREST
OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SECURITY AND PUBLIC WELFARE, OR TO AUTHORIZE THE
TEMPORARY USE AND OPERATION THEREOF BY ANY AGENCY OF THE
GOVERNMENT, UPON DUE COMPENSATION TO THE GRANTEE, FOR THE USE
OF SAID STATIONS OR FACILITIES DURING THE PERIOD WHEN THEY SHALL BE
SO OPERATED.THE RADIO SPECTRUM IS A FINITE RESOURCE THAT IS PART OF
THE NATIONAL PATRIMONY AND THE USE THEREOF IS A PRIVILEGE
CONFERRED UPON THE GRANTEE BY THE STATE AND MAY BE WITHDRAWN
ANY TIME AFTER DUE PROCESS.”

“SEC. 6. SELF-REGULATION BY AND UNDERTAKING OF GRANTEE. - THE


GRANTEE SHALL NOT REQUIRE ANY PREVIOUS CENSORSHIP OF ANY SPEECH,
PLAY, ACT OR SCENE, OR OTHER MATTER TO BE BROADCAST FROM ITS
STATIONS: PROVIDED, THAT THE GRANTEE, DURING ANY BROADCAST,
SHALL CUT OFF FROM THE AIR THE SPEECH, PLAY, ACT OR SCENE, OR OTHER
MATTER BEING BROADCAST IF THE TENDENCY THEREOF IS TO PROPOSE
AND/OR INCITE TREASON, REBELLION OR SEDITION; OR THE LANGUAGE
USED THEREIN OR THE THEME THEREOF IS INDECENT OR IMMORAL:
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT WILLFUL FAILURE TO DO SO SHALL CONSTITUTE
A VALID CAUSE FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THIS FRANCHISE.”

“SEC. 7. WARRANTY IN FAVOR OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS. - THE GRANTEE 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 STATIONS OF THE GRANTEE.”

“SEC. 8. SALE, LEASE, TRANSFER, USUFRUCT, OR ASSIGNMENT OF
FRANCHISE. - THE GRANTEE SHALL NOT LEASE, TRANSFER, GRANT THE
USUFRUCT OF, SELL NOR ASSIGN THIS FRANCHISE OR THE RIGHTS AND
PRIVILEGE ACQUIRED THEREUNDER TO ANY PERSON, FIRM, COMPANY,
CORPORATION OR OTHER COMMERCIAL OR LEGAL ENTITY, NOR MERGE
WITH ANY OTHER CORPORATION OR ENTITY, NOR SHALL THE
CONTROLLING INTEREST OF THE GRANTEE BE TRANSFERRED, WHETHER AS A
WHOLE OR IN’ PARTS, AND WHETHER SIMULTANEOUSLY OR
CONTEMPORANEOUSLY, TO ANY PERSON, FIRM, COMPANY, CORPORATION
OR ENTITY WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE CONGRESS OF THE
PHILIPPINES: PROVIDED, THAT CONGRESS SHALL BE INFORMED OF ANY
LEASE, TRANSFER, GRANTING THE USUFRUCT OF, SALE OR ASSIGNMENT OF
FRANCHISE OR THE RIGHTS OR PRIVILEGES ACQUIRED THEREUNDER, OR THE
MERGER OR TRANSFER OF THE CONTROLLING INTEREST OF THE GRANTEE,
WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE TRANSACTION:
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT FAILURE TO REPORT TO CONGRESS THE CHANGE
OF OWNERSHIP SHALL RENDER THE FRANCHISE IPSO FACTO REVOKED:
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO WHICH THIS


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FRANCHISE IS SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR ASSIGNED, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE
SAME CONDITIONS, TERMS, RESTRICTIONS, AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS ACT.”

“SEC. 9. DISPERSAL OF OWNERSHIP. - IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN
PUBLIC UTILITIES, THE GRANTEE SHALL OFFER TO FILIPINO CITIZENS AT
LEAST THIRTY PER CENT (30%) OR A HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAT MAY
HEREAFTER BE PROVIDED BY LAW OF ITS OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK IN
ANY SECURITIES EXCHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES WITHIN FIVE (5) YEARS.
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF ITS OPERATIONS: PROVIDED, THAT IN CASES
WHERE PUBLIC OFFER OF SHARES IS NOT APPLICABLE, ESTABLISHMENT OF
COOPERATIVES AND OTHER METHODS OF ENCOURAGING PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION BY CITIZENS AND CORPORATIONS OPERATING PUBLIC
UTILITIES MUST BE IMPLEMENTED. NONCOMPLIANCE THEREWITH SHALL
RENDER THE FRANCHISE IPSO FACTO REVOKED. “

“SEC. 10. EQUALITY CLAUSE. - ANY ADVANTAGE, FAVOR, PRIVILEGE,
EXEMPTION, OR IMMUNITY GRANTED UNDER EXISTING FRANCHISES, OR
WHICH MAY HEREAFTER BE GRANTED FOR RADIO AND/OR TELEVISION
BROADCASTING, UPON PRIOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CONGRESS, SHALL
BECOME PART OF THIS FRANCHISE AND SHALL BE ACCORDED IMMEDIATELY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY TO THE HEREIN GRANTEE: PROVIDED, THAT THE
FOREGOING SHALL NEITHER APPLY TO NOR AFFECT PROVISIONS OF
BROADCASTING FRANCHISES CONCERNING TERRITORY COVERED BY THE
FRANCHISE, THE LIFE SPAN OF THE FRANCHISE OR THE TYPE OF SERVICE
AUTHORIZED BY THE FRANCHISE.”

“SEC. 11. GENERAL BROADCAST POLICY LAW. - THE GRANTEE SHALL
COMPLY WITH AND BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF A GENERAL.
BROADCAST POLICY LAW, WHICH CONGRESS MAY HEREAFTER ENACT.”

“SEC. 12. REPORTORIAL REQUIREMENT. - THE GRANTEE SHALL SUBMIT
AN ANNUAL REPORT 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


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SENATE, ON ITS COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
FRANCHISE AND ON ITS OPERATIONS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30 OF EVERY
YEAR DURING THE TERM OF ITS FRANCHISE. THE REPORTORIAL
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY CONGRESS SHALL BE REQUIRED
BEFORE ANY APPLICATION FOR PERMIT OR CERTIFICATE IS ACCEPTED BY THE
NTC.”

“SEC. 13, PENALTY CLAUSE - FAILURE OF THE GRANTEE TO SUBMIT THE
REQUISITE ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS SHALL BE PENALIZED BY A FINE
IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) PER WORKING DAY OF
NONCOMPLIANCE. THE FINE SHALL BE COLLECTED BY THE NTC FROM THE
DELINQUENT FRANCHISE GRANTEE SEPARATE FROM THE REPORTORIAL
PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE NTC.”

“SEC, 14. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - IF ANY OF THE SECTIONS OR
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT IS HELD INVALID, ALL OTHER PROVISIONS NOT
AFFECTED THEREBY SHALL REMAIN VALID.”

15. REPEALABILITY AND NON-EXCLUSIVITY CLAUSE. - THIS
FRANCHISE SHALL BE SUBJE‘ ) AMENDMENT, ALTERATION, OR REPEAL BY
THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES WHEN THE PUBLIC INTEREST SO
REQUIRES AND SHALL NOT BE INTERPRETED AS AN EXCLUSIVE GRANT OF
THE PRIVILEGES HEREIN PROVIDED FOR.”

SEC. 2. Renewal/Extension of the Term of Franchise. ~ The term of franchise granted
under Republic Act No. 8107 is hereby renewed/extended for a period of twenty-five
(25) years from the date of the effectivity of thisAct. This franchise shall be deemed ipso

facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two (2) years.

SEC. 3. Acceptance and Compliance. - Acceptance of the amendment and
extension/renewal of the franchise shall be given in writing 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 sixty (60)

days from the approval of this Act. Upon giving such acceptance, the grantee shall


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exercise the privileges granted under this Act. Nonacceptance shall render the

franchise void.

SEC. 4, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,