Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES),
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4274

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Without prejudice to the constitutional rights of the media against the
abridgement of freedom of speech, expression, or of the press as provided under
Section 4, Article Ill of the Philippine Constitution, this bill requires mass media
facilities to allocate airtime and print spaces on gender equality, human rights,
environmental protection, family values, patriotism and nationalism, health
consciousness, good governance, transparency and accountability, national unity,
peace and reconciliation, and other similar positive values and advocacies, with the
‘objective of increasing the awareness and responsiveness of the people.

The bill grants tax incentives to media facilities, which comply with the required
allocation of airtime and print spaces

The importance of media in national development is enshrined in the
Philippines Constitution, which states under Article II, Section 24 thereof,

Section 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in
nation-building,

Broadcast and print media have been proven to be an effective avenue of and
alternative to education and knowledge transfer to the population. It is also believed
to be a means of reshaping behavior especially of the younger members of the
viewing population.

This bill also adheres to the following State Policies enshrined in the
Constitution, to wit:

Section 11. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full
respect for human rights.

Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. it shall equally protect the
life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary
right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.

Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It
shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement
in public and civic affairs.



Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure
the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them.

Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts,
culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and
promote total human liberation and development.

vox.

Section 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural
communities within the framework of national unity and development.

Section 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or
sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.

xxx

Section 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take
positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.

In view of the above circumstances, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly

/

IPHER S. CO. Rep. S|ATOCABE



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4974

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

AN ACT

GRANTING TAX INCENTIVES TO BROADCAST AND PRINT MEDIA DEVOTING
AIR TIME AND SPACE FOR GENDER, EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FAMILY VALUES, PATRIOTISM AND
NATIONALISM, HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY, NATIONAL UNITY, PEACE AND RECONCILIATION, AND
OTHER SIMILAR POSITIVE VALUES AND ADVOCACIES IN ORDER TO
HEIGHTEN THE AWARENESS AND INCREASE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE
PEOPLE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the

Phill ure ymble

Section 1. Coverage.
(a) Print media shall cover newspapers, periodicals, magazines, journals, and
all advertising in the aforementioned medium
(b) Broadcast media shall cover radio broadcasting, television broadcasting,
and all other cinematographic and radio promotions and advertising therein
(c) Media facilities shall include corporations, associations which primarily
engage in the business of print media and/or broadcast media

Section 2. Allocation of media time and space. All broadcast facilities are hereby
required to allocate a minimum of three (3) minutes airtime a day, and all print and
broadcast media facilities are required to allocate a minimum five (5) column inch
space for write-ups per edition that will raise awareness of our people on matters
concerning gender equality, human rights, environmental protection, family values,
patriotism and nationalism, health consciousness, good governance, transparency
and accountability, national unity, peace and reconciliation, and other similar positive
values and advocacies in order to heighten the awareness and increase
responsiveness of the people.


Section 3, Tax Incentives. All expenses incurred in the production of commercials,
advertisements, and/or programs in compliance with this Act as endorsed by the
Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas, Publisher's Association of the Philippines,
Philippine Press Institute and other medial organization, shall enjoy tax deduction of
not more than ten percent (10%) of the gross operating expenses of the advertisers
or sponsors; Provided, that these commercials, advertisements, or programs are
actually delivered to the general public.

Section 4. Airtime Rates and Cost of Space. — Broadcast and Print Media shall
give 10% lower airtime rates and cost of space for every paid feature of production
with education content, as endorsed by broadcast and print organizations, the
difference from the regular rates shall be chargeable to the value added tax
accruable.

Section 5. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

Section 6. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise affected shall remain valid
and subsisting.

Section 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,