Republic Act No. 5235

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1

The Philippine National Red Cross is hereby granted a franchise to establish, maintain and operate private fixed point-to-point, private coastal, private aeronautical and land-based and land-mobile radio stations in the City of Manila and such places within the Philippines where it operates and for the interest and pursuance to its charter, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications for the transmission and reception of wireless messages on radiotelephone or radiotelegraph to and from said stations.

Section 2

The franchise shall continue to be in force for a period of twenty-five years and is granted upon the express condition that the same shall be void unless the construction or installation of at least one station be begun within two years from the date of the approval of this Act, and be completed within four years from said date.

The President of the Philippines shall have the power and the authority to permit the location of said private fixed point-to-point, private coastal, private aeronautical and land-based and land-mobile radio stations on any land of the public domain upon such terms as may be prescribed.

Section 3

It is understood that the purpose of this franchise is to secure for the Philippine National Red Cross the right to establish, maintain and operate aeronautical and land-based and land-mobile radio stations at the places hereinabove stated for no other purpose than to promote all Red Cross services in time of peace and of war as may be found desirable in improving the health and safety and welfare of the Filipino people.

Section 4

No fees shall be charged as the radio stations that may be established by virtue of this Act shall engage in communications only in the pursuance of the services of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Section 5

The Philippine National Red Cross shall so construct and operate its stations as not to interfere with the operation of other radio stations maintained and operated in the Philippines.

Section 6

The Philippine National Red Cross is authorized to operate its stations on the frequency and/or frequencies that may be assigned to it by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.

Section 7

A special right is hereby reserved to the President of the Philippines in time of war, insurrection, public peril, calamity, or disaster, to cause the closing of the grantee's radio stations or to authorize the temporary use or possession thereof by any department of the Government.

Section 8

This franchise shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress of the Philippines when the public interest so requires, and shall not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the privileges herein provided for.

Section 9

Whenever in this Act, the term "grantee" is used, it shall be held and understood to mean and represent the Philippine National Red Cross, its representatives, successors or assigns.

Section 10

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 15, 1968.