Permits and Licenses for Radio Installations and Operation
- Construction or installation of a radio station requires a permit from the Secretary of Commerce and Communications.
- Operation of any station requires a license from the Secretary, detailing the permitted operational period.
- License renewals must be applied for at least two months before expiration.
- Licenses can be issued for no more than three years.
Powers and Duties of the Secretary of Commerce and Communications
- Regulate establishment, use, and operation of all radio stations and communications within the Philippines.
- Classify radio stations and designate the nature of services.
- Assign call letters and frequencies, ensuring compliance with International Radio Regulations.
- Prevent and resolve interference, requiring hearings before frequency or operational changes.
- Define service zones and regulate chain broadcasting.
- Require stations to maintain records on traffic, distress signals, programming, energy transmission, and communications.
- Conduct investigations and hearings, summon witnesses, and compel document production.
- Supervise radio training schools and regulate operator licensing.
- Prescribe fees for station inspection, licensing, operator examination, and related services.
- Approve or disapprove applications for station construction, operation, and license renewals with hearings for denials.
- Enforce compliance through criminal actions, license suspension/revocation, refusal of renewals, or warnings.
- Approve station location, equipment type, and power.
- Prescribe procedures for handling SOS and distress messages.
Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Radio Station Licenses
- License transfer requires express approval from the Secretary.
- Licenses cannot be granted or transferred to non-citizens of the U.S. or the Philippines.
- Companies must be incorporated locally or within U.S. states/territories.
- No foreign aliens as officers or directors, and restrict 20% foreign ownership or control in corporations.
Non-Exclusivity of Station Licenses
- Licenses do not grant exclusive rights to the privileges conferred.
Emergency Powers of Government
- The President or Governor-General may close radio stations or authorize government possession/use in times of war, peril, calamity, or disaster, with just compensation.
Confidentiality and Prohibition on Unauthorized Message Disclosure
- Prohibits willful publication or disclosure of message contents by persons handling transmission.
- Prohibits unauthorized interception, use, or disclosure of messages.
- Exception: messages broadcast for public use or concerning ships in distress.
Administrative Organization
- The Secretary is authorized to establish a Radio Regulation Section or delegate enforcement duties to other offices under his control.
Scope and Exceptions
- Act does not apply to U.S. or Philippine government radio stations.
- Foreign mobile stations temporarily in the Philippines are exempt but must comply with International Radio Regulations.
Transfer of Powers and Regulatory Authority
- Powers of the Director of Posts concerning radio apparatus on Philippine vessels are transferred to the Secretary.
- The Secretary can issue regulations on radio installations on vessels, consistent with international maritime safety conventions.
- Does not affect compulsory radio installation laws and penalties.
Repeal of Previous Law
- Repeals an earlier Act on radio control but preserves prior rights and pending proceedings.
Penalties for Violations by Individuals
- Violations incur fines up to three hundred pesos, imprisonment up to three months, or both per offense.
Penalties for Violations by Entities
- Corporations or associations violating provisions face fines up to one thousand pesos per offense.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect three months after its approval on November 11, 1931.