THE National Telecommunications Commission-Davao Region (NTC-Davao) revealed that several radio broadcasting stations are still operating illegally in various areas of the region.
With advancements in technology and communications, broadcast equipment has become readily available online, allowing individuals or organizations to operate radio networks without securing the necessary frequency allocation, licenses, or permits from the NTC.
“Sa broadcast, naa man gyud [pero] ang tanang broadcast na muagi sa internet, wala mi jurisdiction ana. Meaning mga free to air lang na ginatukod bisag asa (In broadcast, there are [illegal operators], but we do not have jurisdiction over broadcasts that stream solely on the internet. Our jurisdiction covers only free-to-air stations being set up anywhere)," NTC-Davao Regional Director Nelson Cañete said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps meeting on November 27, 2024. He noted that such unauthorized operations are becoming more common, especially with the upcoming elections.
Cañete added that investigations are ongoing, and several unauthorized stations have ceased operations after being issued cease-and-desist orders or recommended for show-cause proceedings.
“In fact, naa nay gipatuman na mga cease and desist order para magpalong sila kay kung dili sila magpalong, dili sila mag gamit og frequency (We’ve enforced cease-and-desist orders to stop them. If they don’t comply, they cannot use radio frequencies)," he stated.
He underscored the importance of purchasing legal transmitters and consulting the NTC for broadcast protection. “Kung gusto man kaha ka, maintain imohang studio unya mag live ka sa facebook or youtube. Ayaw gamit og frequency kay kung mugamit kag frequency, diha na musulod ang amoang jurisdiction. “If you want to operate, maintain your studio and go live on Facebook or YouTube. Don’t use frequencies, as that falls under our jurisdiction,” he clarified.
In 2022, Cañete reported a rise in illegal radio stations during the May elections, particularly in Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Davao del Norte. He attributed the issue to centralized broadcast operations, leaving the regional office primarily responsible for inspecting stations and issuing cease-and-desist orders. DEF
