Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Support 3 draft ordinances that aim to protect cellular phone users: NTC
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) 7 said the public should prod the Cebu City Council to approve three proposed ordinances protecting the interest of cellular phone owners.
Councilor Edgar Labella sponsored the proposals.
Speaking during the AGIO Forum, NTC 7 Information Officer Bill Peralta said the first proposed ordinance is to penalize pawnshops that accept mobile phones without proof of ownership, such as receipt.
“This means that if the proposed ordinance will be approved, all pawnshop owners must not accept cellular phone for mortgage if its holder cannot present proof of ownership such as official receipt,” Peralta said.
The second draft ordinance aims to penalize cellular phone dealers who don’t issue warranty to customers.
Receipt, warranty
If a person buys a cell phone, he should demand a receipt and warranty. If the seller or dealer refuses to issue warranty, he can be penalized if the ordinance is approved, the resolution said.
Engineer Allan Maca-raya, of NTC 7, said that while warranty is already implied in the Civil Code, the proposed ordinance is more specific on the period of warranty, the item bought and the penalties.
Peralta said that if the proposed city ordinance will be approved by the end of April or in May, it will be immediately replicated in the different cities and municipalities in Central Visayas.
The third proposed ordinance seeks to penalize anybody who unblocks cellular phones that are already blocked by NTC upon the owner’s request.
Peralta said every cellular phone has the International Mobile Equipment Identification, which carries short messages or text messages from the sender to the receiver.
But Peralta said that while some manufacturers claimed that their designed serial number cannot be altered, there are people who can unblock cellular phones.
Unblocked
Sometimes, mobile phones that have been unblocked by NTC are unblocked in cellular shops.
In Labella’s proposed ordinance, violators will be fined of P1,500 for the first offense, P3,500 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third offense plus cancellation of their business permit.
Another important feature of the proposed ordinances is that the Cebu City Government will issue a business permit to an applicant only if it is already accredited with NTC. (EOB)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 5, 2006 issue)
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