CENTRAL OFFICE

Administrative and Finance Department (AFD)

Completed staff work for the Office of the Commissioner

• Preparation of 28 Memoranda on various subjects.
• Preparation of 29 Office Orders covering different subjects.
• Preparation of 33 Travel Orders authorizing NTC officials and employees to travel.
• Supervise and monitor work performance of 3 Divisions under the Department throughout the period.

B. Personnel Division

• Facilitated the filing/follow-up and release of 302 GSIS loans and 86 Pag-Ibig loans applied by employees from the Central Office.
• Initiated the Finger scan/Biometric clock method of time and attendance recording (hereby eliminating Buddy punching and fraud in time/attendance recording. This will be linked to the payroll system for fast and accurate salary.

C. Financial and Management Division

• Supervised and processed collection of fees and charges reflected as income of Commission.
• Processed all disbursements of the Central Office of the Commission.

D. General Services Division

• Supervised the performance of the security and janitorial services for buildings, facilities, fixtures, equipment, and surroundings during the period and prepared contracts covering goods and services used by the Commission.
• Provide necessary service assistance for the operation and maintenance of buildings, equipment, fixtures and its surroundings including attached equipment, fixtures and other appurtenances as well as the super vision of smooth movement of traffic at the HIC compound.
• Canvassed and procured supplies/materials, equipment, fixtures and other appurtenances as well as supervising delivery of the same and issuance of such to end-users and including mailing of official documents.
• Submitted needed Inventory Reports as well as updated insurance of building, vehicles and other resources as well as registration of the same vehicles.

E.  Central Records Section

• Prioritized verification of authenticity of certificates issued to marine radio personnel requested by government entities (e.g. PRC, Maritime Training Council, etc) likewise manning agencies and principal employers
• Certification of certificate of authenticity requested by Marine Radio Personnel, Manning Agency or Principal Employer are immediately forwarded to the office of the Commissioner for signature on even date.
• Verificationof documents requested by regional office are likewise given immediate action.
• Issued Radio Operator Certificates

Radio Regulation and Licensing Department (RRDD)

A.  Radio Operator and Training School Division

• The ROTSD is responsible for the regulation of alt radio operators and radio training schools/centers nationwide coordination with alt NTC regional offices.
• The ROTSD has represented the Commission to various meetings pertaining to the implementation of the provisions of the STCW-95 Convention.
• The ROTSD has conducted inspections, together with the Maritime Training Council Technical Working Group, of several radio training centers offering short term GMDSS radio communication courses
• The ROTSD has strengthened its operational system by instituting sever at office orders; identifying individual function and responsibilities making them more responsible and accountable in their assigned tasks.
• The ROTSD has supervised the issuance of permanent registration numbers to all duly licensed radio operators.
• The ROTSD has taken a big role in the formulation of the Quality Standard System (QSS) Manual.
• The ROTSD has been part of the recently concluded Quality Standards System Awareness Seminar conducted at the Central Office.

B. Fixed and Land Mobile Service Division

The Telecommunications Planning & Development
Department (TPDD)

• Drafted Memorandum Circular adopting 12.5KHz channel spacing for narrowband radio communication network.
• Drafted RRLD Office Order Re: Guidelines in the collection of SUF in the non-carrier radio Service.
• Approved and implemented RRLD Office Order No. 06-03 Re; Intensifying FXLMSD function arid defining individual duties and responsibilities
• Approved and implemented RRLD Office Order No. 03 "Payment and validation of payment".
• Approved and implemented RRLD Office Order No. 01-03, "Additional guidelines in the screening and processing of applications forwarded to RRLD."
• Approved and implemented RRLD Office Order No. 07-03, "Guidelines and Procedures for the Registration of WDN Indoor Equipment".
• Approved and implemented RRLD Office Order Re: Unauthorized use of facsimile signature in the renewal of Radio Station Licenses.
• Approved and implemented Memorandum Circular I lo. 09-09-200 Re: Wireless Data Networks arid Devices.
• Implemented NTC Office Order No. 5O-06-03, "Guidelines and procedures on the on the collection of fees and charges and strict observance of policy on access to work areas and other rules of conduct."
• Strengthened its operations by defining personnel accountabilities, official duties and responsibilities.

C. Safety and Special Radio Services Division

• Revised the Amateur Radio Regulations (adoption of five (5) words per minute for Code Test Speed Requirements for all Classes arid formation of call signs).
• Conducted Public Hearings on lifting the ban on the filing, acceptance and processing of applications for various permits and licenses and demonstration purposes of radio equipment on Spread Spectrum Technology in NCR, Region 3 & Region 4; and Implementation of Automatic Identification System (AIS).
• Created database for Amateur Chub repeater stations.
• Submitted to International Telecommunications Union the List of Ship Stations (list VO data on diskette for first three quarters in compliance with the pertinent provisions of Article 20 & Appendices 9 & 10 of the Radio Regulations last October 02, 2003.
• Updated database for Spread spectrum, aeronautical, maritime, EPIRB and amateur radio operator (data from central office arid regional offices).
• Continuous implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in our local/domestic maritime industry particularly on the mandatory installation ol NAVTFX and Satellite EPIRB.
• Monitoring for compliance in the implementation of various amateur radio regulations by the NTC regional offices in coordination with the Philippine Amateur Association (PARA).
• Continuous monitoring for compliance to GMDSS of all international-going Philippine registered vessels as mandated by the International Radio Regulation.
• Monitoring of all NTC Regional Offices nationwide in the processingof licenses/permits and implementation of various radio regulations in the maritime, aeronautical, amateur and special radio service to validate compliance with the just concluded regional licensing seminar for non-carrier service conducted by RRLD.

Legal Department (LD)

A total of 776 hearings were conducted for the year and the Commission had issued interlocutory orders totaling 252 which resolved pertinent issues that bear significantly on the disposition of both authorization and administrative cases.

There were 129 applications for incorporation received from the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), which were acted upon a non-objection basis by the NTC.

A number of legal queries were presented for the Department to resolve. Out of the 254 received, 232 issues were resolved and submitted in the form of briefs, position papers and draft letters for the consideration of the Commissioners.

Among the significant decisions for the year 2003 are the certificates of public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) issued to the following telecommunication carriers.

GLOBE TELECOM, INC.- DECISION DATED February 14, 2003 for Case No. 96-410 CPCN – Nationwide Digital Transmission Network in the ff. areas; Ermita to Mt. Cabalan, Angeles City to Mt. Sto. Tomas, Mandaluyong to Cebu, Bohol & Mindanao and Mindoro and Palawan.

PLDT - Decisions dated January 31, 2003 for Case No. 95-310 CPCN - International Virtual Private Network (IPVN) and to change a schedule of rates.

Other issues rendered consist of the following; 38 Certificates of Authority (CA) issued to Cable Television System Operators: 13 certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) issued to Radio Broadcast Service/Television Broadcast Service Operators, 20 Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) issued to Telecommunications Carriers. A total of 57 decisions were rendered approving various petitions such as Sale and transfer, Transfer of  Location, Increase in Power, and Deed of assignment among others.

The Department administered 9,217 affidavits for OSPAC-Central office in year 2003.

Telecommunications Planning and Development Department (TPDD)

• Formulated the 5-year Medium-term Agency Plan for the period 2002-2006
• Collated operational data on a monthly basis and subsequently prepared the following periodic reports for submission to DOTC:
  • NTC Accomplishment/Performance Report (semi-annually)
  • Status Reports of Ongoing NTC Infra Projects (monthly)
  • Operational accomplishment of NTC (quarterly)
• Coordinated and provided assistance to project implementation groups and caused the preparation and submission for approval of Program of Work, technical specifications of equipment and cost: estimates
• Prepared programs for IT Equipment Outlay including technical specifications of all IT equipment.
• Prepared and submitted programs for the release of the 2003 Use of Income Fund.
• Assisted the AFD in the preparation of the CY 2004 Budget and caused tire preparation of the following:
  • Project profiles of all Infra Projects proposals
  • Agency Performance Measures
  • Budget Briefing and Presentation materials
• Continuously provide telecommunications data to several organizations and researchers
• Issued 173 Type-Acceptance Certificates for Radio Communications Equipment (RCE)
• Issued 158 Type-Approval Certificates for Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
• Issued 156 Supplier Accreditation Certificates
• Issued 1200 Permits to import/Release Clearances for CPEs
• Certificates and permits issued generated a total income of Php 998,930.00 for NTC
• Implementation of the Bio-clock System (fully operational)
• Development of Attendance and Leave Monitoring System (70% completed)
• Development of Payroll System (60% completed)
• Purchase of IT Equipment (completed)
• Purchase and installation of Lex Libris software for lawyers (completed)
• Continuously update the NTC website
• Continuously maintains all IT equipment of the Commission

Common Carriers Development Department (CCDD)

Current State of the Telecommunications Industry

The wireless business, particularly in the cellular mobile telephone service, showed a strong performance in the Year 2003 with a growth of 46% in subscription over the previous year, which was 27%. Smart accounts 45% market share followed by Globe, which accounts for 39%.

The fixed line business still face the challenges brought about by the worldwide decline in the business. The PLDT remains to dominate the fixed line business with 67% share in the market followed by Digitet’s 12%. The National Capital Region still has the most number of telephone lines totaling to 2,818,358 lines.

The number of trunked radio network subscribers decreased. This can be attributed to competition brought by the cellular mobile telephone service.

The number of Value Added service providers continuous to rise with the registration of forty one VAS providers in the Year 2003. This brought the number of registered VAS Providers to 287 as of 31 December 2003.

The government and the telecommunications players continue to be challenges confronting the industry. Players are taking initiatives to innovate to improve their services and profitability. The Commission, on the other hand, is trying to address concerns on ICT, ISR, Void and 3G.

In order to support further the thrust of the government to promote and develop the
Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Commission has issued guidelines on the deployment, use and development of wireless Internet and wireless data networks and devices.

Broadcast Services Division (BSD)

During the year, BSD has come up with the Implementing Guidelines 10 DOTC Circular No. 2003-01 on the regulation of Operation of Cable television after conducting two (2) public hearings on the matter and a series of consultations that followed. Under memorandum Circular No.10-10-?.003, the issue on program provisioning the exclusivity of contract between cable/direct to home operators arid program providers have now been defined arid that appropriate sanctions for violators are now in place.

BSD has also initiated a draft circular on the grant of authorization of FM Broadcast Stations using Low powered Transmitters to encourage a larger and more effective use of communications, radio and television facilities and to maintain effective competition among private entities.

On the issue of the 100-milliwatt FM radio stations where several complaints were received by the office. BSD had caused the inspection of these stations and has recommended administrative action to those stations that have violated the conditions of their grant. Eventually, the Commission has stopped the issuance of permit for this type of station.

The prepared Draft Circular on Mandatory Taping of certain programs for radio and television as part of the Commission’s regulatory functions and which has been initiated last year has also been finalized and submitted for the Commissions consideration.

BSD also took part in the series of Congressional Inquiries called by the House of Congress on the reduction of frequency spacing for FM broadcast stations to which the Commission provided its view and position on the matter.

Frequency Management Division (FMD)

• Processed a total of 772 frequency applications consisting of 3,815 Notice of Frequency Supportability (NES); 8,088 Frequency Assignment Notice (FAN).
• In addition a total of 960,612 coordination were made in the year ending 2003.
• Prepared and issued Memorandum Circular 09-09-~003 for Wireless Data Networks and Devices