Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 584)
The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 584 is to amend the existing law regulating radio transmitters and transceivers in the Philippines by adding provisions on registration, permits, regulation, and penalties related to their possession, manufacture, sale, and operation.
No person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall possess or own radio transmitters or transceivers without registering the same with the Secretary of Commerce and Industry.
No, the selling or transferring of radio transmitters or transceivers requires prior approval from the Secretary of Commerce and Industry as per Section 1-A of the Act.
The Secretary is empowered to regulate construction, manufacture, possession, control, sale, and transfer of radio transmitters or transceivers, assign call letters and frequencies, promulgate rules to prevent interference, conduct investigations, supervise radio training schools, approve or disapprove licenses and applications, enforce penalties, and regulate handling of SOS messages, among others.
No, changes in frequency, authorized power, character of emitted signals, type of power supply, or hours of operation cannot be made without first giving the station licensee a hearing.
Violators can be fined up to two thousand pesos, or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, for each offense as per Section 12.
Any firm, company, corporation, or association violating the Act or regulations can be fined up to five thousand pesos for each offense according to Section 13.
No, the construction, manufacture, or purchasing of such radio equipment must be done only with a permit issued by the Secretary of Commerce and Industry.
Yes, the Secretary may suspend or revoke station or operator licenses, refuse renewals, or take other disciplinary actions for violations under Section 3(m).
Stations must follow rules prescribed by the Secretary that do not conflict with International Radio Regulations regarding the handling of SOS messages and distress traffic, per Section 3(o).