Misortel eyeing Mindanao-wide franchise

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Misamis Oriental Telephone System (Misortel) is set to apply for a Mindanao-wide franchise, Misamis Oriental Gov. Antonio Calingin revealed in a radio interview here.

Calingin said he had conferred with Misamis Oriental second district Rep. Augusto Baculio on the matter and they decided that the franchise to be applied for would cover the whole island because they foresee the development of the phone firm in the next few years.

"Congressman Baculio and I envision that in the next few years, Misortel will have more business opportunities and will expand not just in the neighboring provinces of Misamis Oriental but to as far as Zamboanga," Calingin said.

Because of this, Baculio is set to amend the bill he filed earlier seeking for a renewal of the franchise of Misortel, which expired in November 2000 after having been in effect for 50 years.

Thus, the Mindanao-wide franchise would also be in effect for 50 years if Congress approves it.

Calingin forecasts that amid the conflicts plaguing certain areas in Mindanao, peace will ultimately prevail and that Misortel can take advantage of this situation for its expansion.

"Maybe this would happen in the next 10 years or so and by that time, I will not be the governor anymore. But we will act on the franchise now because we must anticipate the expansion of Misortel," he said.

Calingin predicts that the province-owned phone company currently run by BayanTel would be the most sought-after phone firm in Mindanao by the time.

"Maybe in the next few years, the local governments of Bukidnon, Lanao, Surigao and Agusan will decide to connect with Misortel because they would realize the very prompt services Misortel provides," he said.

Misortel is currently operating under a provisional authority automatically granted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) after its original franchise expired.

Meanwhile, a provision of the franchise bill authored by Baculio seeks to convert Misortel into a corporation.

Calingin said he and Baculio decided to convert Misortel into a corporation because the provincial government has plans to privatize the telephone firm.

"To fast-track the privatization of Misortel, we will sell the company through stocks, and for the company to acquire stocks, we need to convert it into a corporation," he said.