DOJ: Coast Guard not exempt from NTC fees

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is not exempt from registration fees and other charges being imposed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

In her four-page legal opinion issued last week, Secretary Leila de Lima said the PCG is not covered by an exception under Section 17 of Executive Order 546, the law creating the NTC, since it is no longer a part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines when it was transferred from the Department of National Defense (DND) to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

NTC Deputy Commissioner Carlo Jose Martinez sought the DOJ’s legal opinion after the PCG asked for exemption from registration charges and other fees levied by the NTC for the operation of communications utilities and services, radio communications systems, wire or wireless telephone or telegraph systems, radio and television broadcasting systems, and the like, on the basis of Section 17 of Executive Order 546.

The NTC, however, disagreed with the PCG’s stance on the basis of Executive Order 477, which states that the control and supervision over PCG is no longer under the DND.

De Lima agreed with the position of the NTC, saying that even Republic Act 9993 or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009 indicates its civilian character.