President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo) MANILA - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed laws extending the franchises granted to Smart Broadband, Inc. and five other telecommunication firms for another 25 years. Duterte signed all six laws on April 8, according to copies released to Palace reporters on Monday. Under Republic Act 11678, Meridian Telekoms, Inc., presently known as Smart Broadband, Inc. will be allowed to "construct, install, establish, maintain, lease, and operate wire and/or wireless telecommunications systems throughout the Philippines." RA 11678 mandated Smart Broadband, Inc. to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or the appropriate permits and licenses. Smart Broadband, Inc. was also mandated not to "sell, lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, nor assign this franchise or the rights and privileges acquired thereunder to any person, firm, company, corporation, or other commercial legal entity, nor merge with any other corporation or entity, nor shall the controlling interest of the Grantee be transferred, simultaneously or contemporaneously, to any person, firm, company, corporation, or entity, without prior approval of Congress." A fine of PHP1 million would be imposed, should Smart Broadband, Inc. fail to submit the requisite annual report to Congress. Duterte also signed the following: RA 11674 - An act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Mati Telephone Corporation under Republic Act 8675 entitled "An act granting the Mati Telephone Corporation a franchise to construct, establish, install, maintain, and operate local exchange network in the province of Davao Oriental." RA 11675 - An act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Odiongan Telephone Corporation under Republic Act 8956 entitled "An act granting the Odiongan Telephone Corporation a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain local exchange network in the province of Romblon." RA 11676 - An act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to R.C. Yulo Telephone System, Inc. under Republic Act 8348, entitled "An act granting the RC Yulo Telephone System, Inc. a franchise to construct, establish, install, maintain, and operate local exchange network in the municipalities of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, Murcia, Himamaylan, and Isabela, province of Negros Occidental." RA 11677 - An act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Marbel Telephone System, Inc. (MTSI) under Republic Act 8449, entitled "An act granting the Marbel Telephone System, Inc. a franchise to construct, establish, install, maintain, and operate local exchange network in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani." RA 11679 - An Act renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to Bicol Telephone and Telegraph, Inc. under Republic Act 8342 entitled "An act granting the Bicol Telephone and Telegraph, Inc. a franchise to construct, establish, install, maintain, and operate local exchange network in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon." Duterte also signed two laws granting a franchise to two telecommunications firms and one law granting a franchise to a state university: RA 11673 - An act granting Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain radio and television stations in the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi RA 11681 - An act granting Capricom Broadcasting Network Corp. a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in Tabaco City, province of Albay, and other areas in the Philippines. RA 11680 - An act granting Southern Luzon State University a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain for educational and other related purposes radio and television broadcasting stations within its campuses in the province of Quezon. (PNA) }