Republic of the Philippines

Department of Information & Communications Technology

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Regional Office 10, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City

ANNUAL NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE
-A Proposal

BACKGROUND

The National Telecommunications Commission was created through Executive Order

No.546 on 23 July 1979. It is conferred with regulatory and quasi-judicial functions taken over
from the Board of Communications and the Telecommunications Control Bureau which were
abolished within the issuance of said Executive Order. While it is independent in so far as its
regulatory and quasi-judicial functions are concerned, the NTC, at present, is under the
Administrative Supervision of the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT) being an attached agency. However, its decisions, as a quasi-judicial body is only
appealable to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

A. Mandates:

- Regulates installation, operation and maintenance of radio stations, both

public and private (Act No.3846 as amended);
- Regulates and Supervises the provision of public telecommunications as
define under Republic Act No. 7925 and Commonwealth Act No.146, as
amended;
- Manages the radio spectrum (Act No. 3846 and R.A.7925)
- Regulates and Supervises radio and television broadcast stations, Cable TV
and Pay Television as enunciated under Executive Order No. 205.

B. Functions and Services:

• Authorization of Public Telecommunications Services

 International Gateway Facility
 Cellular Mobile Telephone Service
 Local Exchange or Fixed Line Service
 Public Trunked Radio Service
 Other services under this category

• Authorization of Broadcast and CATV Services

 AM radio station
 FM radio station
 HF radio station (short wave)

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  TV Station
 Cable TV system
 Satellite Broadcast or Direct to User/Home System
 Other services in this Category

• Management/Monitoring/Assignment of Radio Frequencies

• Registration of Value-Added Service (VAS) Providers
• Registration of Voice-Over IP(VOIP) providers and resellers
• Registration of Public calling stations/offices/telecenters

• Licensing of radio stations for all telecommunications services

 Public telecommunication services
 Broadcast and CATV services
 Aeronautical service
 Maritime radio services
 Fixed/Mobile services
 Other special services

• Permits to purchase/possess/construct
• Conduct of Radio Operator’s Examination
• Certification of Radio Operators
• Accreditation of Radio Training Schools
• Type-Acceptance of Radio Communication Equipment
• Type-Approval of Customer Premises Equipment
• Radio Dealer’s/Service Center/Manufacturer’s Permit
• Permit to Import
• Customer welfare and protection service

With the numerous mandates, functions and services that the Commission are given,
there is one crucial component where the Commission is observed to be weak – its law
enforcement function. In fact, there are observed and recorded cases that resulted to
unsuccessful implementation of radio laws and regulations due to the following:

1) NTC enforcers are not familiar with the laws, rules & regulations;
2) NTC enforcement activities are being done differently from region to another region;
3) Weak networking among law enforcers (within the Commission and other government
law enforcement agencies;
4) Hesitation in implementing the radio laws, rules and regulations;
5) Administrative and criminal prosecution of officers; and
6) Others

And because of the above-cited issues, there is a need to strengthen the Commission’s
law enforcement function.

The Commission must recognize that these challenges will intensify and will require our
undivided attention. Take a moment to reflect upon these and other trends that affect the

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enforcement function of the Commission, and give introspection as to our own agency’s
readiness.

METHODOLOGY

The 2-day-conference is going to be run through a series of presentations, group and

plenary discussions, open forum, and workshop/write-shop.

As such, the conference is expected to cover for presentation and discussion the following:

(1) Existing radio laws and regulations;

(2) Orientation on New & Emerging Technologies and its applicable laws and regulations;
(3) Sharing of experience (Best Practices) on law enforcement;
(4) Case study that is critical to law enforcement;
(5) Forum;
(6) Workshop/Write-shop for possible review of existing radio regulations and guidelines on
law enforcement;
(7) Suitable conduct of inspection/investigation;
(8) Investigation report writing; and
(9) Others that the management feels necessary for inclusion.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

The Conference will be attended by the following:

1) Senior officials from the Central Office;

2) Head of the Legal Branch;
3) Head of the Regulation Branch;
4) Head of the Special Licensing Branch;
5) Head of the Planning, Financial & Management Branch;
6) Head of the Broadcast Services;
7) Head of the Commission Secretariat;
8) Regional Directors;
9) Chief of the Enforcement & Operation Division;
10) Legal Officers from the Regional Offices; and
11) Others

NUMBER OF DAYS
- Two (2) days

RESOURCES NEEDED
- Resource Speakers (including Judges, prosecutors, law professors, etc.)
- Function Room
- Accommodation Rooms (Live-in)
- Conference Kit
- Laptop Computers (Paperless workshop/writeshop)
- Secretariat
- Others

VENUE & ESTIMATED COST

- (To be determined by the PFMB)

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