NEWSFLASH

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DOTC CHIEF CITES NEED FOR NEW IT LAWS

Manila, May 13, 1998 - Secretary Josefina Lichauco of the Department of Transportation and Communications admits that the present telecommunications policies are silent about issues involving the influx of new technology and developments in other aspects of the communications industry, such as multi-media, broadcasting, Internet and cable telephony.

Lichauco said the absence of the necessary laws on new communications applications could undermine the growth potentials of the local communications sector.

"We need to initial legislative or executive action to be able to come up with a more defined policy for the emerging technologies in the industry," Lichauco stressed.

She added that particular attention should be given to the existing service area scheme which practically divided the country among existing carriers, a policy that is needs to be corrected through amendments.

Lichauco is also batting for a review of the foreign ownership and taxation laws which, she said, could stand some revision in order to promote the inflow of capital and transfer of technical knowledge.

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