NTC gives nod to Clark, Subic phone interconnection

CLARK FREEPORT – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has given the go-ahead signal to an initiative to interconnect the two telephone systems operating in Clark and Subic Freeports, saying the interconnection “are within NTC existing rules and regulations.”

The go-ahead signal is contained in a letter sent by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba to Clark Development Corp.’s Angelo “Sonny” Lopez Jr. in response to the latter’s query on the legality of such interconnection.

Lopez, through the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC), has requested a certificate or clearance showing that the proposed interconnection of phone lines has not violated NTC rules and regulations.

The MCAC has been pushing for the interconnection of Clark and Subic phone lines following the success of the interconnection of Clark phone lines with other telecommunications providers in Pampanga.

CDC President Benigno Ricafort, Lopez, PLDT Clark manager Lito Mercado, PEP TV President Dennis Uy and Cabinet Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan have been the forerunners of the interconnection project which has been cited by President Arroyo.

In December 2008, President Arroyo bestowed an award to Clark officials led by CDC’s Ricafort for the telecommunications interconnection project that was one of the top winners of the 1st Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon (1st GPK).

Ricafort said the CDC’s winning entry was conceived in 2001 and aims to interconnect Clark’s telephone lines with those in Angeles City and the City of San Fernando, as well as other areas in the province of Pampanga.

He said that the interconnection project was an initiative of the MCAC – an influential partnership group between the CDC and contingent local government units within the Metro Clark area.

Lopez said the project paved the way for phone companies like the PLDT, Smart Telecommunications and Digitel to provide toll-free call to its subscribers in Clark abd the rest of Pampanga.

Lopez, who heads MCAC secretariat, said the residents, locators and investors inside the Clark Freeport are now saving at least 13.2 million yearly on long distance calls because of the project.

“The CDC alone was saved as much as P1.2 million per year since this project was implemented,” he said.

--Daily Tribune