Due to their inaccessibility, commissioners of the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) haven’t had the time to explain to the general public what will happen to the last remaining 3G license that it is supposed to award.
We, in the IT media, are of course searching for every bit of detail concerning the hottest topic nowadays — 3G technology.
This writer has been calling the offices of Commissioner Ronald Solis and Deputy Commissioner Jorge Sarmiento to inquire about the issue, but their office staffs always had a ready answer: it’s either they’re out of the office or in a meeting, which means they can’t be disturbed.
I tried calling both officials in their mobile phones but they refused to answer them. I sent a text message to Solis and this is what I got as a reply: Sori im bz. Oh well.
With this, it remains a mystery as to how the agency would decide with the last 3G license still up for grabs. Smart, Globe, Digitel, and CURE have gotten their wishes. But for other firms like Next Mobile and AZCommunications owned by Tony Boy Cojuangco, they’re still clinging to that slim hope that the last of the licenses would be given to them. — Melvin G. Calimag
New appointees
CICT has a deputy commissioner. Pres. Arroyo has recently appointed Atty. Lorenzo Formoso as the deputy commissioner and legal counsel of CICT. In case the CICT chairmanship is vacant, the deputy commissioner takes over perhaps in an acting capacity. The other CICT commissioners are Tim de Vera for e-government development, Dondi Mapa for strategic business development, Emmanuel Lallana for human capital development and Elberto Emphasis for information infrastructure.
Atty. Formoso, a former PLDT lawyer, was supposed to succeed a retiring NTC deputy commissioner but ended up as CICT deputy commissioner. Kathy Heceta, the ex-NTC deputy commissioner has retired from the service. Taking over her place was Jaime Fortez, Jr. as the new NTC deputy commissioner who was backed by an influential and powerful religious group.
The recent revamp at PLDT and SMART resulted in some movements of top key positions. Claro Ramirez who used to head the retail and customer support, is now senior vice president, the boss of both the integrated PLDT and Smart international operations. PLDT’s international operations was previously headed by Mon Obias, while Smart’s international operations was led by Atty. Roger Quevedo. This may be part of the PLDT’s strategy of converging the fixed and wireless networks that would mean savings, cutting costs, efficiency, and effectiveness. We expect more changes as the operators enter the exciting year of 3G rollout. — Edu H. Lopez
Believers
If the guys at the NTC are unresponsive to the media, the contrary is true to three public servants who met contrasting fortunes late last year: the late NBI chief Reynaldo Wycoco, Deputy Customs Commissioner Alexander Arevalo, and Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.
But first this assertion: these people are believers in the power of ICT. It was during their stints when the organizations where they belong to undertook massive computerization programs.
In the case of Wycoco, it was unfortunate this amiable guy succumbed to a fatal stroke last month. I remember Wykes as the cool and accommodating NBI director who entertained all of our questions during a media briefing that the agency conducted to explain the automation projects they were implementing at that time.
My hope is that Pres. Arroyo would appoint a person who possesses the same attitude that Wycoco had to ICT in the NBI. And the same cordial attitude to the IT media, too.
As for Arevalo, it’s too bad he had to be replaced as Acting Commissioner at Customs because the guy recognizes the power of technology. In a presentation at the National Computer Center a few months or years back, we in the press table were impressed by the man for his idealism and modern plans for the bureau.
Arevalo, a military officer before his deployment to the BOC, was oozing with confidence that the much-maligned agency would soon erase its image as a corrupt office through the help of IT. I just hope he doesn’t lose this enthusiasm and succeeds in his vision even in a relegated post.
On a happy note, it’s good that Justice Artemio Panganiban was appointed as the 21st chief justice of the Supreme Court last December.
Much of the ICT innovations currently being undertaken in the judiciary are primarily due to reforms initiated by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide and Panganiban, who is also the chairman of the Committee on Computerization by the SC.
Panganiban, a fellow alumnus of V. Mapa High School, has always possessed that clear vision: whether in the area of law, faith, life, or ICT. — Melvin G. Calimag
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