MPBC inaugurates new building

THE Mt. Province Broadcasting Corporation (MPBC) launched its new building at the Bishop’s compound beside Baguio Cathedral in February 6 with the presence of several leaders from the Roman Catholic Church.

From the former office in Bonifacio Street, it moved beside the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral for easier accessibility to listeners.

The launching started with a mass led by Diocese of Baguio-Benguet Bishop Carlito Cenzon, followed by a press conference wherein management of AM Radio dzWT and FM Radio Magic 99.9, both under MPBC, accommodated questions from their fellow media. Afterwards, Cenzon led the blessing of the building.

AM program supervisor and finance officer Fr. Paul Basilio said the new building cost around P9 million, adding the fund was raised by the MPBC through raffle draws and dinners–for–a–cause.

The MPBC is now 47 years in service and aims to evangelize and educate its listeners.

In 1966, the Catholic Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary formed the MPBC through the request of the Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Montañosa, Msgr. William Brasseur. The corporation first operated an FM station, Magic 99.9 MHZ with 250 watts. Its call letters are dzWR.

It later operated an AM station with 10-kilowatt transmitter power, which is the 540 KHz under the call – letters dzWT. The AM station was created to further reach the hinterlands which the FM cannot reach with its minimum watts.

The primary coverage of dzWT comprise Baguio City, Benguet, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Nueva Vizcaya. Its secondary coverage contains Ilocos Norte, Tarlac, Zambales, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Kalinga, Apayao, Quirino, and Mt. Province.

Meanwhile, the Magic 99.9 FM can reach places like Baguio City, Benguet, La Union, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, and Pampanga.