GMA Network to expand CDO station as local economy stirs

Commercial activity is picking up in Cagayan de Oro, prompting GMA Network Inc. to expand its station in the area into a full-blown originating facility.

GMA executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong said Cagayan de Oro is one of the fastest growing provinces in Mindanao after Davao.

“We're seeing major commercial activities in Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro, in particular, is one of the fast growing areas in the region,” he said at the sidelines of a briefing at GMA Network Center in Quezon City on Wednesday.

“Habang lumalaki ang local economies sa Pilipinas, nagkakaroon ng panibagong rason para magtayo ng bagong originating station,” GMA president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. said.

“The way it is approached, we look at local economy as well as the number of rural TV households that would benefit or be reached. And CDO has those,” he added.

'Ugrading cost'

On January 23, GMA opened its Northern Mindanao station in Cagayan de Oro. However, GMA officials clarified that that was not a full originating facility like in Davao but only a “transitional” station.

“CDO now is what we refer to as transitional, [as] the facilities are not yet within the criteria of what we set to define a full originating station,” Duavit said.

“Although the station is capable of producing local programming as well as implementing programming changes within the foot print of transmitter facility,” he added.

“[Ang] originating [station] kasi, normally may studio set up there that can accommodate producing local programs. [Yung sa CDO], it cannot produce local programs, 'yung full-blown shows,” Yalong said.

According to the network president, upgrading the CDO facility would cost around P30 million to 35 million, excluding land acquisition.

“The reason that the cost is not high is we already have some facilities there...  It would simply be upgrading cost. We already have equipment, i-ta-transfer lang,” Duavit said.

Meanwhile, the Network targets to identify land within the year. “It would still take time [to finish the originating station] because we still have to buy the lot, put up the building and put up all the equipment and infrastructure,” Yalong said.

Once completed, the CDO originating station will be the second in the region for GMA, serving the Northern Mindanao customers after its Davao originating facility. — VS, GMA News