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Sunday, January 08, 2006
Radio, tv firms lift ‘ban’ on City Hall ads
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) has lifted its advertisement “ban” against the Cebu City Government, after Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is “open to negotiations” in settling City Hall’s P1.7 million debts to different broadcast outfits.
KBP-Cebu Standards Authority chairman Edward Abad, in an interview, said the group’s board of directors agreed on the decision during its meeting last Thursday.
He was not comfortable using the word “ban”, saying the KBP merely refused to cooperate with the City because of its airtime debt. Now, KBP will again give its “full support and cooperation” to City Hall.
“KBP-Cebu is already willing to help with whatever proposals of the Cebu City Government that need our help. We believe talking peacefully could solve the problem,” he said.
The KBP passed in 2003 a resolution blacklisting the Cebu City Government and other local advertisers who failed to settle their obligations.
Abad also issued last 2004 a memorandum to all radio and TV stations reminding them of the board resolution.
The KBP standards authority receives complaints about, among others, unpaid airtime debts from its members. KBP acts as the collector, and also sends demand letters to the concerned advertiser.
Months after Abad’s memorandum, Osmeña said former councilor Vicente Kintanar Jr. told him the local KBP would no longer enter into an agreement with City Hall unless it settles the P1.7 million it owed seven radio and TV stations.
The City still owes Bombo Radyo P81,000; ABC 21, P189,750; dyLA, P242,000; RPN 9, P130,000; ABS-CBN, P920,112; and GMA 7 and dySS, P161,521.
The accounts date back to 1998 to 2001, when lawyer Alvin Garcia was city mayor.
Last Wednesday, Osmeña declared he was now willing to negotiate with the management of the broadcast outlets.
Station managers will have to show him “the evidence of the City’s debt and all other supporting documents.” His decision to pay, he said, will depend on the Commission on Audit’s approval.
“Okay na because he expressed willingness to pay. Our intent is for the betterment of the City of Cebu itself,” Abad said. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 8, 2006 issue)
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