National Telecommunications Commission (Philippines)
| Pambansang Komisyon sa Telekomunikasyon | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 23, 1979 |
| Superseding agency | Communications |
| Headquarters | BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City |
| Agency executive | Gamaliel A. Cordoba, Commissioner |
| Parent agency | under Other Executive Offices (OEO) of the Office of the President |
| Website |
ntcncr |
The Philippines' National Telecommunications Commission (Filipino: Pambansáng Komisyón sa Telekomunikasyón), abbreviated as NTC, is an attached agency of the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country.
History
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) was created under Executive Order No. 546 promulgated on July 23, 1979, and conferred with regulatory and quasi-judicial functions taken over from the Board of Communications and the Telecommunications Control Bureau, which were abolished in the same Order.
Primarily, the NTC is the sole body that exercises jurisdiction over the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country. For the effective enforcement of this responsibility, it adopts and promulgates such guidelines, rules, and regulations relative to the establishment operation and maintenance of various telecommunications facilities and services nationwide.
Although independent insofar as its regulatory and quasi-judicial functions are concerned, the NTC remains under the administrative supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications as an attached agency. However, with respect to its quasi-judicial functions, NTC's decisions are appealable only and directly to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Timeline
- 1927: Act No. 3396 known as the Ship Radio Station Law was enacted.The Radio Construction and Maintenance Section, the first radio regulatory office was charged to enforce the said law.
- 1931: Act No. 3846 known as the Radio Control Law was enacted. The Radio Control Division in the Bureau of Post was created under the jurisdiction of the then Secretary of Commerce and Communications.
- 1939: The Radio Control Division was transferred to the Department of National Defense which was organized pursuant to Executive Order No. 230.
- 1947: The Radio Control Division was again transferred to the Department of Commerce and Industry which was created pursuant to Executive Order No. 230.
- 1951: Republic Act 1476 was enacted abolishing the Radio Control Board.
- 1962: Department Order 51 was issued changing the name of the Radio Control Division to the Radio Control Office.
- 1972: The Board of Communications (BOC) was created under the Integrated Reorganization Law. It was the first quasi-judicial body with adjudicatory powers on matters involving telecommunications services.
- 1974: The Radio Control Office was renamed the Telecommunications Control Bureau.
- 1979: By virtue of Executive Order 546, the TCB and the BOC were integrated into a single entity now known as the National Telecommunications Commission. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications, which was created under the same Order has administrative jurisdiction over the NTC.
- 1987: President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order 125-A making the NTC an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and Communications.
- 2004: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 269 creating the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and transferring the NTC from the DOTC to the CICT.
- 2005: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 454 transferring the NTC back to the DOTC.
- 2008: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 648 transferring the NTC back to the CICT.
- 2011: Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 47 (June 23, 2011) which retains the NTC under the Office of the President as an Other
Executive Offices (OEO)
Head
The NTC is headed by a Commissioner appointed by the President.
List of Commissioners
| Commissioner | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Ceferino C. Carreon | August 23, 1979 | March 19, 1986 |
| Tomas C. Reyes | March 14, 1986 | April 1, 1986 |
| Jose Luis A. Alcuaz | March 23, 1987 | November 12, 1989 |
| Josefina T. Lichauco (acting) | November 13, 1989 | September 3, 1991 |
| Mariano E. Benedicto II | September 4, 1991 | December 31, 1992 |
| Simeon L. Kintanar | January 7, 1993 | January 31, 1998 |
| Fidelo Q. Dumlao (acting) | February 1, 1998 | July 15, 1998 |
| Ponciano V. Cruz, Jr. | July 16, 1998 | December 14, 1998 |
| Joseph A. Santiago | December 16, 1998 | February 8, 2001 |
| Agustin R. Bengzon (acting) | February 12, 2001 | February 25, 2001 |
| Eliseo M. Rio, Jr. | February 26, 2001 | October 8, 2002 |
| Armi Jane R. Borje | October 28, 2002 | January 16, 2004 |
| Ronald O. Solis | January 19, 2004 | November 29, 2006 |
| Abraham R. Abesamis | November 30, 2006 | August 10, 2007 |
| Ruel V. Canobas | August 13, 2007 | August 2009 |
| Gamaliel Asis Cordoba | August 2009 | Present |
Creation of NTC Regional Office No. 4
In 1986, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) started establishing regional offices which will serve as NTC's extension in the regions. In an Office Order No. 8-63-88 dated August 22, 1988, NCR Director Lilia A. Borjal-dela Peña, was designated in a concurrent capacity as Regional Director of Region IV, headquartered in Batangas City, and Region III with offices in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The establishment of NTC Regional Office in Batangas City was approved by then Commissioner José Luis A. Alcuaz in accordance with Office Order No. 56-89 dated July 19, 1989. Prior to the construction of the office building, the Commission requested for a temporary office space from the Batangas Provincial Government. The NTC Technical Staff, represented by Engineers Carlos D. Saliuan and Emmanuel J. Diesta, coordinated with the Provincial Government on the request which was immediately granted by then Governor Vicente C. Mayo through the assistance of Mr. Augusto Claveria, the Provincial Administrator. The temporary office was located at the second floor of the Provincial Capitol of Batangas. The skeletal force comprising six personnel was transferred to Batangas City to assist the Regional Director in the establishment and immediate operation of the office. Information dissemination activities were conducted through radio broadcast to inform the public of its existence and courtesy calls were made to the local and provincial officials, the INP/PNP Commander and other national government agencies. On the other hand, full support to the Regional Office was assured by the heads of agencies in the Region.
The initial information submitted by the Department of Transportation and Communications to the Department of Budget and Management was for the Regional Office to be established in San Pablo City. However, subsequent events and requests from various representatives from Region IV led to the final decision to construct the NTC Region al Office No. IV in Batangas City which is considered as the seat of Government in Region IV.
In December 1988, bidding procedures for the construction work required for the establishment of the Regional Office were undertaken. An Award of Contract was subsequently issued to the contractor Mr. Romeo Tugano, who submitted the lowest bid. The award of contract was on 21 September 1989 and Notice to Proceed was issued on 25 September 1989.
The provincial government of Batangas during the incumbency of Governor Vicente A. Mayo and with the support of Mr. Augusto M. Claveria, Provincial Administrator provided a parcel of land with an area of one Thousand square meters (1,000 square meters). The Lease Agreement Contract valid for 25 years in the amount of P1,000/year entered into by Commissioner José Luis A. Alcuaz and the Provincial Government was signed on November 24, 1989. The ground breaking ceremonies were attended by Engr. Sylvia I. Marcelo, Chief, Telecommunications Planning and Development Department, Engr, Albert Acosta, Ms. Bema Enriquez, Engr. Bernardo S. Jimenez, members of the Bidding Committee, Ms. Estela Dela Rosa and the NTC Region IV staff.
On January 11, 1990, the Commission was informed that funds for the establishment of the regional office will be released only after Congressional approval for the realignment of funds from the Department of Budget and Management. Said request was denied whereupon, the Commission made justifications in order that funds for this purpose may be released. The following were the reasons submitted to DBM for favorable considerations: first, that delay in submission of request for realignment was due to series of events that overtook the NTC, namely the revamp of NTC personnel; second, the change of Commissioner in mid November of 1989, the December coup d' etat, and the appointment of a new DOTC Secretary; and third, the construction of the office in Batangas was considered a better site for its radio MONITORING SYSTEM since San Pablo City is surrounded by mountain ranges. The completion of the proposed Regional Office in Batangas City was about 57% already and at that point it will be difficult to stop the construction which would entail additional costs.
With the invaluable support and assistance of then Congressman Hernando B. Pérez of the 2nd District of Batangas, Congressman Magdaleno Palacol and Congressman Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr, of Laguna the re-alignment was favorably endorsed by DOTC and was finally approved by DBM.
The final completion of the construction of the NTC Region IV Building was on July 06, 1990 and the inauguration was scheduled on the same date.
It was during Director Lilia A. Borjal-dela Peña's incumbency as acting director when the NTC Region IV building was constructed and inaugurated. The inauguration was attended by undersecretary and concurrent NTC Commissioner Josefina T. Lichauco in the behalf of Secretary Oscar M. Orbos, Congressman Hernardo B. Pérez, DOTC and NTC officials and employees, officials from the Batangas Provincial Government, former Commissioner José Luis Alcuaz and other guests.
The Regional Office No. IV was formerly located at Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEX) Compound but it is now situated along new Diversion Road, by-pass going to the town of Bauan. Its scope of jurisdiction covers eleven (11) provinces, ten (10) cities and two hundred ten (210) municipalities with a population of approximately 7, 699.00. In July 1990, after building construction has been completed, the personnel, based on the plantilla positions of the region were immediately transferred to Batangas. It had a manpower complement of sixteen (16) positions to start its operation which was later on increased to eighteen (18) plantilla positions in 1994.
In August 1991, Mr. Gilbert V. Ramirez was designated as Acting Regional Director and later appointed to Director II position of the NTC Region IV. During his incumbency, Additional Work Project for the Regional Office amounting to P996,442.19 was released. Thus, the construction of the following: employees' quarters, garage, CONFERENCE ROOM, drainage system, driveway, pavement, additional fencing and backfilling were undertaken on April 18, 1994. On January 01, 1995, a Memorandum Order was issued for the reshuffling of Regional Directors. Director Ramirez was transferred to the National Capital Region while Director Dela Peña was again re-assigned to NTC Region IV until her mandatory retirement in December 2007.
In January 2007, upon the retirement of Dir. Dela Peña, Engr. Eugenio B. Acosta, Engineer V, was appointed as OIC Director of the Region until the assumption of office of Engr. Joselito C. Leynes as the new Regional Director of NTC R-IV in June 5, 2008.
The NTC Regional Office No. IV is composed of two Divisions namely, the Enforcement and Operations Divisions and the Administrative Division. In its present set up, the Regional Office is headed by Dir. Joselito C. Leynes The Enforcement and Operations Division, the implementing arm of the Commission is headed by Engr. Eugenio B. Acosta. It enforces and implements through inspection, field investigation, and monitoring surveillance compliance of the telecommunications rules and regulations governing installation and operation of radio and telecommunications services in the region. It also acts on all applications for licenses and permits for operation of radio stations and other telecommunications services.
Pursuant to R.A. Act 3846, some of the licensing functions of the Commission relative to the issuance of permits, licenses and certificates and other administrative functions have been decentralized thereby authorizing/empowering the Regional Offices to make final actions on said papers within its area of jurisdiction.
The main thrust of NTC Region IV is geared towards bringing its services more accessible to the public thus, field offices were created. The first field office was established in August 1, 1995 and it is located at the LTO District Office in Imus, Cavite. The Land Transportation Office through the invaluable support of Director Lina L. Estrada, Chairperson of RMC Region IV has provided the office space free of charge. Another Field Office was also established in LTO District Office in Taytay, Rizal which was later on transferred to Antipolo City's Annex Building in Cainta, Rizal. These accomplishments are attributed to the efforts of NTC R-IV Director Lilia A. Borjal-dela Peña. It is also in the same year when a Memorandum of Agreement between and among the members of the Regional Management Council, Region IV was approved by then Secretary Jesús García, Jr. wherein Telecommunications Office (TELOF) will provide manpower resources to NTC. It has provided four detailed technical staff designated to assist in the monitoring and operational functions of the office.
On September 23, 1997, the construction of the NTC Monitoring Extension Building was implemented. It has three rooms, one for radio monitoring and two rooms for the working area of the technical staff. This is part of the Infrastructure Project of the Commission charged against the NTC 1996 Special Budget.
In the year 2002, Rizal Field Office transferred to its new office at the 2nd Floor NTC Central Office Building with the approval of then Commissioner Eliseo M. Rio.
Some notable accomplishments in 2004 include the transfer of Cavite Field Office from its former location in LTO, Imus, Cavite to CARE 161 Building with free office allocation courtesy of Cavite Governor Ayong S. Maliksi.
NTC Region IV is presently performing its thrust and programs to meet the growing demands for telecommunications services in its territorial jurisdiction particularly in the CALABARZON and MIMAROPA areas. In consonance with the Mission and Vision of the Commission, NTC R-IV pledges to continue delivering on its goals with regards to physical and financial performances as well as in adherence to the highest and best standards of accountability, integrity, fairness and transparency.