ABS-CBN faces final curtain

ABS-CBN Bacolod workforce pose after a prayer vigil held last February 2020 when their station’s franchise confronts its expiration. (Contributed photo)
ABS-CBN Bacolod workforce pose after a prayer vigil held last February 2020 when their station’s franchise confronts its expiration. (Contributed photo)

CATCHING a line from a famous song My Way, popularized by Frank Sinatra, “And so I face the final curtain...” transpired in the corporate and public life of television giant ABS-CBN when it was ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to cease and desist from operating due to the non-renewal of its government-issued franchise, Tuesday, May 5.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the cessation of operation appeared shocking to the Filipino nation as the television giant played crucial frontline roles given the load that Covid-19 brought in which continuously saps people’s energy and resources and also of those in government resources with the continued spread of the infectious disease and the lengthened lockdown and enhanced community quarantine.

The common sentiment of ABS-CBN viewers was that the timing was off.

As reported, 11,000 of its strong workforces are affected by the cessation of operation.

In Bacolod, the ABS-CBN has in fact rendered its last news program ABS-CBN TV Patrol and its FM station 101.5 kHz on May 5.

ABS-CBN has put up a comprehensive news coverage on the Covid-19 pandemic despite the health risk it posed to its practitioners.

Seventy workers in ABS-CBN in Bacolod lost their jobs, by a wink of an eye despite the beaming spirit it had to deliver the news to the people both in their conventional and cyber platforms.

The stoppage in operation was surprising but the ABS-CBN workforce in Bacolod has faced it with a positive outlook.

Bannering the social media following the cessation of operation were sentiments of dismay and sympathy showing the logo of the station bearing a line “ABS-CBN is signing off.”

The Negros Press Club led by its President Glazyl Masculino issued a statement of support to the plight of the ABS-CBN media workers in the province.

It was a time that nobody can comfort each other because of the mandated observance of social distancing, a comment from Allen Jimenez, DJ of MOR 101.5 FM on his Facebook Account.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also issued a statement asking Congress to judiciously act on this matter.

The General Alliance of Workers’ Association led by local labor leader Wennie Sancho who serves as its Secretary-General also expressed support to its workers.

But in this moment of uncertainty, whether it rains or the sun shines brightly, let us be not impatient as there are no gloomy conditions to those whose hearts are full of hope, a local media once said.

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