QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 3006)
The purpose of Republic Act No. 3006 is to grant the Philippine Wireless, Inc., a franchise to establish, maintain, and operate stations for international and domestic communications in the Philippines.
The franchise authorizes international and domestic communications, including the transmission of messages, impressions, pictures, music, entertainment, advertising, and signals throughout the Philippines and between the Philippines and foreign countries, including ships at sea and airplanes.
Subject to legal limitations, the grantee is authorized to exercise the right of eminent domain to a reasonable extent for the establishment and efficient maintenance and operation of its circuits and stations.
The franchise is valid for fifty years from the date the circuits and/or stations are put into operation.
The franchise shall not take effect until the Secretary of Public Works and Communications allocates the frequencies and wavelengths to be used and issues a license to the grantee, unless the grantee uses existing government-licensed channels, circuits, or stations.
The Secretary can change or cancel frequencies/wavelengths if: (1) their use impairs communication or stifles competition; (2) public interest requires their use by others including the government; or (3) for reasons of public interest.
In times of war, rebellion, public peril, or national emergency, the President can close the grantee's circuits or authorize government use or possession of such stations without compensation.
The operations must contribute to public welfare, conform to honest enterprise ethics, assist in public information and education, and not be used to spread false information, misrepresentation, or to incite subversive or treasonable acts.
The Government of the Philippines, through the Public Service Commission or an authorized office, has the right to fix the minimum and maximum rates to be charged.
The grantee must pay applicable taxes on real estate, buildings, and personal property, and pay an annual fee of one and one-half percent of gross receipts from business transacted under the franchise.
No, the franchise is not exclusive as per Section 14 of the Act.
The grantee cannot lease, transfer, sell, assign, or merge the franchise without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines.