Senate okays bill renewing NDBC francise
Local News • 18:40 PM Fri Jun 1, 2018
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
Senator Grace Poe pose with Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, (right) NDBC director and Rikki Climaco (2nd left), NDBC COO, along with Atty. Noel C. Galvez (center), KBP vice president for radio and Jenny Galvez of Vanguard Radio.(NDBC MM photo)
MANILA – A bill
extending the franchises of Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC) for 25
more years had been approved on third and final reading early this week.
Rikki Climaco,
NDBC Media Marketing chief operations officer, said the hearing and eventual
approval of the Senate version of the bill went on smoothly with all the firms’
representatives in attendance.
Climaco
represented NDBC in the Senate Committee on Public Services hearing, chaired by Senator Grace Poe.Aside from
NDBC, the Senate also approved the renewal of franchises of Manila Broadcasting
Company, Bright Star Broadcasting Corporation and Vanguard Radio Network Company,
Incorporated.
During the hearing,
Poe recognized the vital role of broadcasting networks in connecting families.
Broadcasting
services are the nervous system of our society as they connect communities and
families through a seamless flow of information, she said.
Poe, however,
wanted some provisions integrated in the franchise, that is, mandating the broadcast
firms to provide decent and productive employment opportunities as well as
apprenticeship programs or on-the-job training for students.
NDBC has been
extending OJT training and equal employment opportunities to all in its six
radio stations strategically situated in Cotabato City, Kidapawan City and Koronadal
City.
Poe said the
Philippine Congress has the responsibility of ensuring that only the most
qualified individuals and organizations should be granted this privilege.
NDBC is owned
and operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate with its central office located
in Kidapawan City and its Media Marketing arm in Makati City. (Edwin O.
Fernandez)