Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6758

HOUSE BILLNo. 29°

Introduced by REP. AURELIO “DONG” D. GONZALES, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The operation of radio, television, and cable antenna television stations plays an
important role and fundamental function in the development and growth of our coun-
try. Through the years, a huge number of Filipinos relied and continue to rely on broad-
cast media as a source of credible, reliable, and timely information especially in times of
crisis—be it a furious typhoon, earthquake, volcano surge, or in the present crisis, a
worldwide pandemic. The uninterrupted operation of established and reputable broad-
cast media, even while their application for franchise is pending with Congress, is much
desired as it actualizes the constitutional recognition of the vital role of communication
and information in nation-building.

This bill seeks to amend provisions of laws pertaining to powers and functions of
the National Telecommunications Commission, and further empowers it to issue provi-
sional authority for the continued operation of broadcast media while awaiting renewal
of their congressional franchise. In doing so, the gap in the law will be addressed with
exactitude and certainty regarding franchise renewals and in the issuance of provisional
authority to operate for the broadcast media, and there would be assurance of continu-
ous provision of vital information to the Filipinos vis-a-vis bridging their concerns to
governmental authorities.

As public interest is at stake, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly

sought. 3

ly

,REP. AURELIO “DONG” D. GONZALES, JR
3rd District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6758

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. AURELIO “DONG” D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION TO ISSUE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO OWNERS
AND/OR OPERATORS OF RADIO, TELEVISION, AND/OR CABLE AN-
TENNA TELEVISION SYSTEM, NETWORK AND/OR STATIONS FOR
THEIR CONTINUED OPERATIONS PENDING THE RENEWAL OF THEIR
CONGRESSIONAL FRANCHISE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assem-
bled:

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known and cited as the “Provisional Broad-
cast Media Franchise Act of 2020.”

Section 2. Statement of policy. - It is the policy of the State to give ample time and op-
portunity to grantees of radio, television, and cable antenna television franchise to re-
new their respective franchises before Congress and for the latter to judiciously deliber-
ate on said renewal of franchises, recognizing that broadcast media plays a vital role the
dissemination of news and information to the people as part of nation-building.

Section 3. The National Telecommunications Commission. - The National Telecommu-
nications Commission, or its successor who has the right and authority to assign to
qualified parties frequencies, channels or other means of identifying broadcasting sys-
tems, is hereby authorized and mandated to issue a provisional authority for the con-
tinued operations of the owner and/or operator of radio, television, and/or cable an-
tenna television stations whose franchises expired pending their application for its re-
newal with Congress: Provided, That the said provisional authority will remain effective
until and unless such application for renewal be approved, disapproved, or when the
term of current Congress expires without the said franchise being renewed: Provide, fur-
thermore, That the foregoing provisions shall apply to all pending applications for re-
newal of congressional franchises prior to the passage of this Act.

Section 4. Reference to Offices. - All references to the Secretary of Commerce and
Communication in Republic Act Number 3846 and the Secretary of Public Works and
Communications in Presidential Decree Number 576-A shall be understood to mean as
the National Telecommunications Commission or its successor who has the right and
authority to assign to qualified parties frequencies, channels or other means of identify-
ing broadcasting systems.


Section 5. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
thereby and the application of such parts or provisions to other persons or circum-
stances shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repealing Clause. - Sections 1 and 2 of Republic Act Number 3846, Section 6
of Presidential Decree Number 576-A, Section 15 of Executive Order Number 546, Series
of 1979, and Section 4 of Executive Order Number 205, Series of 1987 are hereby amend-
ed accordingly. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or other is-
suances or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, and/or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publi-
cation in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,