The National Communications Commission (NCC) has reached a rental agreement to continue operations until September, but budget cuts are threatening its operations after that, NCC Secretary-General Huang Wen-che (黃文哲) told the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) in an interview published yesterday.
The NCC’s proposed operating expenses for this year were cut in half and another 10 percent was frozen, leaving the commission with only NT$37.58 million (US$1.15 million), Huang said.
The NCC needs NT$25.61 million to rent office space, he said.
Photo: Chang Shou-kuei, Taipei Times
If the NCC were to pay rent as usual, it would only be able to maintain operations through this month, and would not be able to pay for water and electricity, he said, adding that it would mean public services and those for telecommunications providers would be forced to halt.
The NCC has reached an agreement with its landlord, the Taiwan Postal Association, to delay rental payments, allowing it to prioritize funds for other expenses, including utilities, and continue operations into September, Huang said.
The NCC would explore other options with utilities providers to delay payments, but its budget was submitted with all expenses in mind, he said.
Even if it were to successfully petition the Legislative Yuan to access the frozen 10 percent of its funds, it would only extend operations by one month, he added.
It is not normal for government organizations to ask utility providers and landlords for permission to delay payments, Huang said, calling on the legislature to understand the NCC’s difficulties.
The commission was also unable to process extension applications for permits and licenses in the broadcasting industry, as it did not have enough committee members to reach a quorum, he said.
There are 37 operators whose permits are due for renewal or have already expired.
Following the exit of Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) as NCC vice chairman in November last year after an amendment to the National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) banning NCC members from serving more than two terms, it has only three members and could not form a quorum, which requires four.
The NCC is asking platforms and service providers to allow broadcasters whose applications could not be processed to continue airing their programs, Huang said, but added that the NCC recognizes that such actions carry legal risks.
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