Law Summary
Government Exemptions
- The U.S. Government and the Philippine Government are exempt from the Act's requirements for communication radio sets.
- Dealers selling to these governments must still comply with reporting rules.
Registration of Radio Receiving Sets
- Owners must register their radio receiving sets within 30 days of acquisition.
- Registration rules, including annual registration, are prescribed by the Secretary.
- Owners must notify the Radio Regulation Office of any change in ownership or location.
- Dealers/former owners must report sales and ownership changes.
Annual Registration Fees
- Fees are two pesos per annum for crystal sets and ten pesos per annum for vacuum tube sets.
- The Secretary may set zone-based graduated fees, not exceeding the maximum fees stated.
- Fee reduction rules may apply for subsequent years.
- Fees cover twelve months from acquisition date.
Payment Procedures and Late Penalties
- Initial fee must cover at least three months and be paid at registration.
- Fees are payable quarterly in advance within the first thirty days of each quarter.
- Late payments incur a 20% surcharge.
- The Secretary may change payment intervals and impose registration and advance payment requirements for sets entering the country.
Fee Exemptions
- Registration required without fee for:
- Sets in storage or out of service.
- Demonstration or sale sets by manufacturers/dealers.
- Philippine Government sets used for non-communication.
- Sets on licensed airplanes and ships.
- Broadcasting station monitoring sets.
- Lighthouse-keepers' official sets.
- Amateur radio operators' multiple receivers, fee applies only to one.
National Radio Broadcasting Fund and Its Uses
- All fees and related collections form the "National Radio Broadcasting Fund."
- Fund used for:
- Purchasing and installing radio sets for public benefit in remote areas and government institutions.
- Paying authorized stations broadcasting at least six hours daily of news, education, or entertainment.
- Administrative expenses including committee per diems (max 20 pesos per member per month).
- The fund's unexpended balance carries over yearly for promotion and aid of radio broadcasting.
Annual Reporting
- The Secretary must submit a detailed annual report to the Philippine Legislature during the first 30 days of each regular session.
- Report includes activities, receipts, disbursements, and recommendations.
Repeal and Transitional Provisions
- Previous Act No. 3338 (1926) repealed but registrations, fees, and accrued rights remain valid.
- Unpaid fees and fines under the repealed Act transfer to the new fund.
- Unexpended balances from the old Radio Broadcasting Fund integrate into the National Radio Broadcasting Fund.
- The Act doesn't create irrevocable rights; Legislature can amend or repeal provisions.
Penalties for Violations
- Individuals violating mandatory provisions fined between 25 and 200 pesos per offense.
- Corporations or associations fined between 100 and 1,000 pesos per offense.
- Violation includes non-compliance with the Act or Secretary's regulations.
Effectivity
- The Act took effect on January 1, 1933.