NEW COMPETITION FOR THE BIG 3 STATIONS: PNOY SIGNS LAW TO REVITALIZE PTV-4!

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law a measure that will “revitalize” the operations of state-owned and -operated television station People’s Television Network, Inc. or PTV-4.

"I am happy to announce that President Aquino signed into law Republic Act 10390, an Act Revitalizing the People’s Television Network, on March 14," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a Malacañang press conference on Wednesday, March 20.

RA No. 103901 amends RA No. 7306 and is called “An Act Providing for the Establishment of the People’s Television Network, Incorporated, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Providing for Its Sources of Funding and for Other Purposes.”

GMA Network, Inc. strongly opposed the government’s plan to privatize state-owned broadcast station People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTV) as it would be unfairly competing with private players

Coloma said the new law addresses two main problems of PTV-4: the “financial hemorrhage” marked by the depletion of the station’s capital and the lack of a stable source of income.

Advisory council

Meantime, Coloma said that the new law also provides for the nomination of members for an advisory council "to advise the network on relevant programming that will bolster the character of PTV as a public service broadcasting network."

The council will also help stir the network in shifting of focus toward a "new global best practice of public service broadcasting which means that government television becomes an active partner or an active instrument for promoting the public welfare."

“So, with the enactment of the new PTV law, we hope to broaden the participation of the citizens in having a network that will mirror their aspirations. We want to invite the various sectors to give concrete suggestions on programs that will be beneficial to the community and to society. That is the rationale for the formation of an advisory council,” Coloma said.

He said it was President Aquino who directed the crafting of a proposed bill, which was later included in the priority list of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

RA 103901 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3316 and House Bill No. 6703 passed by the Senate and House of Representatives on January 21, 2013 and December 19, 2012, respectively. - Rappler.com

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