CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Iligan City government on Friday closed 14 business establishments, including a radio station, for allegedly operating without business permits.
Dr. Darwin Manugbag, the city administrator, led
the closure of the businesses following the issuance of a final notice by the
City Legal Office on Aug. 17.
City Legal Officer Roberto Padilla gave the erring
business 15 days to comply with the local revenue code.
CLOSURE. Accompanied by the police, Iligan City
officials brought chains to shutter on Friday (Nov. 24, 2023) the operation of
a radio station allegedly operating without a business permit. Local officials
say the station lacked registration from the National Telecommunications
Commission, a requirement in securing a business permit. (Photo courtesy of Radyo Bandera Iligan)
However, the 14 business firms failed to follow the requirements despite the generous extension, Manugbag said.
One of the businesses involved was Radyo Bandera
Iligan.
According to Milagros Mahinay, focal person of the
city's Business Permits and Licenses Office, the radio station was denied a
business permit because it failed to comply with a certificate of franchise
registration from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Lawyer Dexter Rey Sumaoy, representing Radyo
Bandera, countered that it was better for the local government to file
appropriate charges "so we can answer them and let the court decide."
Sumaoy, a former city administrator, admitted that
its permit was not signed by the local government because of "some issues."
Meanwhile, NTC-10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr.
said the franchise of Radyo Bandera "has recently lapsed, and all assigned
frequencies were recalled."
"The number of stations in the country that
are under Bandera (of Fairewaves Broadcasting Network) are affected due to
expired franchises. The expired franchise has prompted NTC to recall all the
frequencies assigned to Bandera," Buenavista said in a separate interview.
He said the radio station owners may operate again
by applying for a franchise at the House of Representatives. (PNA)
