Whereas, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is vested With  the authority and jurisdiction to formulate and implement policies, plans, programs,  rules and regulations in the establishment, maintenance and operation of radio and TV broadcast facilities, systems and services and CATV facilities throughout the country;

Whereas, under Department Order No. 5 series of 1948 on the Rules and Regulations Governing Commercial Radio Operators, the actual operation of any radio, TV and/or  CATV station for which a station license is required shall be carried out only by a license operator/technician;

Whereas, Department Order No. 88 series of 1873 and implemented under Memorandum Circular No. 37, requires the services of a duly Registered Electron and Communications Engineer in the planning and designing, installation or construction, operation and maintenance of radio stations, and in the manufacture and/or modification of radio communications equipment;

Whereas, the NTC takes cognizance of the fact that a number of radio and TV broadcasting stations and CATV stations are not employing licensed radio operators/ technicians and Registered Electronics & Communications Engineers (ECE) and that same stations operating on a twenty four (24) hour operations are manned by only one (1) radio operator/technician;

WHEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested upon the NTC and for the reference and guidance of all concerned, it is hereby ORDERED that all radio and TV broadcasting stations and CATV stations must comply with the provisions of Department Order No. 5, s. 1948, by employing a licensed radio operator/technician on an eight (8) hour-shifting mode and the number of operator/technician must be proportionate to its authorized hours of operation, e.g., three (3) operators/technicians for a twenty four (24) hour operation. Further, the operation of all radio and TV broadcast stations and CATV stations must be under the supervision of a Registered Electronics & Communications Engineer (ECE) pursuant to the provision of Department Order No. 88, series of 1973.

Any Circular, Memorandum or Order previously issued or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed amended, revised or repealed.

This circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and three (3) copies hereof deposited with the University of the Philippines (UP.) Law Center.

Adopted: 06 June 2008

(SGD.) RUEL V. CANOBAS
Commissioner
(SGD.) JORGE V. SARMIENTO	(SGD.) JAIME M. FORTES, JR.
Deputy Commissioner	Deputy Commissioner