Nelson Caňete, regional director of NTC-11, during Wednesday’s (May 17, 2018) Habi at Kape press conferenc. He bared that another five radio stations is illegally operating in Davao region. (Kath M. Cortez/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission XI has reported (NTC) five additional illegal radio stations operating in the region.
Nelson Caňete, regional director of NTC-11 said two radio stations in Davao Oriental and one in Davao Occidental are operating illegally. He did not disclose details regarding the two other stations.
In January this year, NTC has recommended the issuance of cease and desist orders (CDOs) against 30 local radio stations in the Davao region for alleged illegal operation. According to their report, 10 are in Davao del Sur, five in Davao del Norte and the rest are in Davao Oriental and Compostella Valley province.
NTC-11 also recommend CDOs to two radio stations in Davao City situated in Matina Shrine Hills and Toril for illegally putting up transmitters using bamboo poles instead of steel.
Caňete said that the existence of 5 illegal radio stations in the region is due to the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan 2018 elections and would “possibly double its number by 2019 Mid-term elections.”
Currently, the regional office has yet to receive the approval of the national office to close down some erring radio stations in the region. Based on their record, they recommended 26 radio stations to be served with cease and desist order and four for show cause.
“The problem is we are still waiting for the decision to come out especially that election is fast approaching. Many illegal stations funded by politicians will surely exist,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NTC XI will launch its mobile registration for handheld radios in the region on the second week of June.
The mobile registration will start in Panabo City while the regional office will also launch a special registration in Davao City and in the Island Garden City of Samal.
According to Caňete, “many barangays who own handsets and transistor radio are not officially registered by the NTC.” (davaotoday.com)
