IBC-13 privatization making progress: PCOO chief

By Azer Parrocha

September 29, 2019, 5:51 pm

IBC (logo)

MANILA -- The process of privatizing the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation or IBC Channel 13 is already making significant progress, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said Saturday.

Andanar bared that the franchise of IBC-13 would be renewed to be more “enticing” before it is sold to a private firm.

“Mayroon na tayong mga nasolusyunan na mga malalaking problema din tulad noong sa BIR clearance. Eh kasi hindi mo mabebenta iyong IBC-13 kung wala siyang tax clearance (We were able to solve big problems like previously, the Bureau of Internal Revenue clearance. Because we won’t be able to sell IBC-13 without tax clearance),” Andanar said over Radyo Pilipinas.

“It was a good negotiation with the BIR kaya (that’s why), we thank the Commissioner for giving the IBC this tax clearance para nga makuha natin iyong extended na (so that we could get an extended) franchise,” he added.

Andanar also thanked the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Privatization Commission for helping hasten the privatization process.

“We really need to renew the franchise of IBC 13, which is a government station, to another 25 years and then we sell it,” he added.

If everything goes smoothly, Andanar said employees of IBC-13 could expect “good news” very soon, but did not elaborate.

PCOO Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan, for his part, expressed excitement on recent developments involving the privatization process.

“That’s the good news po. Madami pong magiging masaya na mga empleyado ng IBC (There will be a lot of IBC employees who will be happy),” Ablan said.

IBC-13 is headed by its CEO and president, former Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro.

De Castro earlier vowed to "revive" the station by broadcasting more ‘80s and ‘90s shows and strengthening its presence on Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms. (PNA)