Duterte OKs franchise renewals of three broadcasting companies

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed laws extending the franchises of three broadcasting firms for another 25 years.

The franchise renewals covered SolidNorth Broadcasting System, Inc. (Republic Act 11366), Mareco Broadcasting Network, Inc. (RA 11367), and the Radio Audience Developers Integrated Organization, Inc. (RA 11368).

Duterte signed the three measures on August 8.

Based in Ilocos Sur's Vigan City, SBS has been the source of news and information for the people of the province and neighboring areas, according to the franchise extension’s author Ilocos Sur Representative Deogracias Victor Savellano.

Since its establishment in 1963, MBNI has put up five commercial radio stations (Crossover FM) in Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio.

Radio Audience Developers Integrated Organization, meanwhile, was first granted the franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain radio stations in 1995. — DVM, GMA News