SENATOR Grace Poe said the non-expiration of legislative franchises with pending renewal application with Congress will avert the specter of job losses that could push Filipinos further into financial distress.

“At the heart of every franchise termination is not just business closure, but also loss of income source for hundreds of our people who have families and dependents,” she said.

“We must spare our people from this unjust situation that is not of their own doing,” she added.

Poe was one of the 21 senators who voted for the third reading approval of Senate Bill No. 1530 which proposes to cover legislative franchises in the current law that allows licenses to remain effective until a final determination by a granting agency.

This will apply to applications for renewal filed on time.

The bill seeks to amend Section 18 of the Administrative Code of the Philippines by stating that “existing license or franchise shall not expire until the application shall have been finally determined by the agency, department, or branch of government authorized to grant or renew the license or franchise.”

“There is final determination when an applicant is given written notice of approval or denial of its application for renewal,” the bill added.

Poe said companies have been forced to shut down with the expiration of their legislative franchise even when their application remains pending.

Citing the case of ABS-CBN Corp., the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order to the network after the Supreme Court ruled that those without franchises are barred from operating.

This resulted in the displacement of thousands of employees of the network.

Poe said Congress must act on franchise renewal applications and not leave their fate hanging. She warned that expiration of franchises could effectively prohibit the continued operation of companies.

“The government must encourage not extinguish businesses,” she said.

“Protecting our people’s jobs is pivotal to an equitable economic recovery from the pandemic and recent calamities,” Poe added.