ABS-CBN Corp., on Monday, July 27, offered the government free use of its transmission network nationwide and its educational programs for the government’s use for distance learning amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The network released the statement hours after President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his attack against ABS-CBN n his 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA). The President said that TV frequencies returned to the government, such as that of ABS-CBN’s former frequencies, will be used to “provide uninterrupted quality education” to Filipino students.
The country’s largest network said its commitment is to serve the public “in whatever capacity we can.”
“In response to the educational thrust of the government in this time of the pandemic, we are offering the use of our transmission network to broadcast educational programs all over the country. We hope to help the government continuously educate students nationwide despite the limitations brought about by the pandemic,” the network said.
Aside from its broadcast facilities, ABS-CBN is also offering free use of all its educational programs produced in the last two decades for the government’s distance education program while the country is still grappling with the pandemic.
Immediately after denying ABS-CBN a fresh franchise, Duterte’s allies in the Lower chamber pushed for the sequestration ABS-CBN’s properties and businesses based on alleged violations debunked by government regulators invited during the series of hearings conducted by the House on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
READ: Lawmakers slam congressmen’s plan to forcibly take ABS-CBN’s properties
Duterte stressed during his SONA that he will not allow any face-to-face classes while a vaccine against Covid-19 is not available.
“While this is not expected to have any business impact on the company, we are hopeful that our network can help in the education of our students nationwide,” ABS-CBN said.
ABS-CBN is the biggest broadcast network in the country, with 35 regional television stations, 16 FM stations, and 3 AM stations.
Apart from its free TV and radio facilities, ABS-CBN has its digital and cable businesses, which it now heavily uses after being denied a new broadcast franchise by the House of Representatives. (Rommel F. Lopez)