NTC-10 investigates SCANTEL frequencies on P50M Telepono sa Barangay project

September 12, 2008

By Lizanilla J. Amarga

The telephone contractor of the controversial P50 million Telepono sa Barangay yesterday was placed under investigation for using unauthorized radio frequencies in the operations of the 15 out of 17 hinterland telephones.

National Telecommunications Commissions (NTC-10) regional director Teodoro Buenavista said Supplier Contractor and Networking Telecommunications (SCANTEL) has failed to follow the provisions of Memorandum Circular 06-08-2005.

The above circular pertains to frequency band allocations for broadband wireless access covering radio spectrum allocations and assignments. It is pursuant to the Republic Act 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act.

Buenavista said this order requires that a “new authorization or issuance of authority” is needed before any entity can make use of any frequency in the radio spectrum.

In the case of SCANTEL, he said the telephone firm had requested such authorization from their head office last year, but upon checking yesterday, he found out that none has been granted.

“Hence, frequencies that are being utilized are not assigned or not yet authorized to SCANTEL. In other words, they (SCANTEL) are not authorized to use the frequencies,” his email to Gold Star Daily yesterday reads.

Because of this, Buenavista said he is now dispatching a team to investigate the claims made by SCANTEL that it has now in operation 15 out of 17 hinterland telephones and to check the frequencies being used.

Last week, the City Information Office reported that SCANTEL president Francisco Z. Villapando met with Mayor Constantino Jaraula to give an update on the status of the rural telephone project.

It quoted Villapando as saying that 15 out of 17 barangays are already fully operational –barangays Canitoan, Baikingon, Pagatpat, San Simon, Indahag, Lumbia, Bayanga, Mambuaya, Dansolihon, Pagalungan, Tagpangi, Taglimao, Tuburan, Pigsag-an and Tumpagon.

City Hall reported that Villapando and SCANTEL Engineering Head Joselito L. Lozano explained that they are still “fine-tuning” the equipment that be installed at far-flung barangys of Tignapoloan and Besigan, the supposedly two remaining barangays with non-operational telephone systems.

Jaraula for his part is now asking the assistance of telecommunication experts from concerned government agencies and private sectors to validate the “viability” and “reliability” of the claims made by SCANTEL’s top officials.

Also, the mayor said he will check the equipment to be installed to new sites at barangays Tignapoloan and Besigan for it may have some implications on the total cost of the project.

Last April 2008, Jaraula gave SCANTEL two deadlines to finish the project but the telephone firm failed to meet them. City Hall already paid SCANTEL P31 million out of the P50 million contract.

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