June 17, 2022
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11842
AN ACT EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11538, ENTITLED "AN ACT GRANTING THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS IN DAVAO CITY"
SECTION 1.Section 1 of Republic Act No. 11538 is hereby amended to read as follows: ATICcS
"SECTION 1.Nature and Scope of Franchise. — Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations, there is hereby granted to the City Government of Davao, hereunder referred to as the grantee, its successors or assignees, a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and television broadcasting stations in Davao City where frequencies or channels are still available for radio and television broadcasting, including digital television system, through microwave, satellite or whatever means, including the use of any new technology...
Nature and Scope of Franchise (Section 1)
- Grants the City Government of Davao a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in Davao City.
- Allows the use of frequencies or channels available for radio and television broadcasting, including digital television systems.
- Permits the use of microwave, satellite, or any new technology for television and radio systems, along with corresponding technological auxiliaries and facilities.
- Includes special broadcast and other program and distribution services and relay stations.
Responsibility to the Public (Section 4)
- The grantee must reach relevant populations on important public issues and relay public announcements and warnings concerning emergencies and calamities.
- The grantee must provide sound and balanced programming, promote public participation, assist in public information and education, conform to ethical business practices, and promote audience sensibility and empowerment, including closed captioning.
- The grantee must not broadcast obscene or indecent language, speech, acts, or scenes, disseminate deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation detrimental to public interest, or incite, encourage, or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.
- Pursuant to the Children's Television Act of 1997, the grantee must allot a minimum of 15% of the daily total air time of each broadcasting network or station to child-friendly shows within its regular programming.
Effectivity (Section 3)
- The Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.