Region	Population	Installed Lines	Subscribed Lines	Teledensity
				Installed	Subscribed
CAR	1,520,743	75,040	32,652	4.93	2.15
I	4,545,906	178,784	128,053	3.93	2.82
II	3,051,487	46,157	32,024	1.51	1.05
III	9,720,982	422,790	307,671	4.35	3.17
IV	14,302,901	1,111,303	590,868	7.77	4.13
V	5,109,798	133,687	72,607	2.62	1.42
VI	6,843,643	442,217	141,355	6.46	2.07
VII	6,398,628	481,344	222,173	7.52	3.47
VIII	3,912,936	158,656	35,842	4.05	0.92
IX	3,230,094	43,327	2,445	1.34	1.00
X	3,952,437	151,295	61,846	3.83	1.56
XI	4,156,653	272,498	104,836	6.56	2.52
XII	3,829,081	79,014	37,926	2.06	0.99
XIII	2,293,480	127,272	34,315	5.55	1.50
ARMM	4,120,795	33,344	8,108	0.81	0.20
NCR	11,553,427	3,411,533	2,097,361	29.53	18.15
TOTAL	88,542,991	7,168,261	3,940,082	8.10	4.45

          Source: NTC

   Cellular or mobile phones were widely used in all provinces.  Bayantel, Digitel, Globe and Smart were the four major providers for Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS).

 

   On the distribution of broadcast stations and CATV networks, the region did not improve on its covered facilities. The region had a total 262 facilities similar in year 2006 as shown in below (Table 18.2).

18.2 Distribution of Broadcast Stations and CATV Networks, (2006)

AM	FM	TV	TV Relay	TV X’lator	CATV	Total
34	60	25	3	8	132	262

   The strategy or the programs and projects to study the viability of using the power lines of the Bicol Electric Cooperatives as broadband for internet cable communication was not yet undertaken.

   Postal Communication

 

   The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) is the agency handling the mailing system. It is the largest network in the region that caters to both local and international mail and other special services.

 

   The operation of Philpost was affected by several factors such as: (a) development in information technology such as e-mail, text messaging and cell phone; (b) presence of highly competitive forwarding mail and electronic money transfer service; and (c) unfavorable socio-economic condition due to the global financial crisis.

 

   In CY 2008, Philpost had a revenue of P51,749,416.57 from postal products and services. This figure was however lower compared to last year’s P53,320,423.96. This posted a decrease of 2.9 percent or P1,571,007.39. The decrease was attributed to the decrease in Postage Charge Account and ostage Stamp Sales with the combined amount of P2,745,252.34. Still, among the product services which registered significant decreases in income were private metered permits, domestic money orders and philatelic stamp sales.

 

   On the other hand, the postal products and services which posted increases in income included postal ID (increased by P1,619,400) and postage metered machine (increased by P182,645.71).  Significant increases were also observed in second class mail permit and rent income.

 

   As the year ended, Postal Region 5 was able to realize 92.43 percent of its P55,986,445.16 target. This was an increase of 5 percent over last year’s figures.

 

   The postal rules and regulations were re-oriented and reiterated through regular conduct of dialogues, meeting and conferences. Memoranda and circulars were also strictly implemented and closely monitored with the end view of strengthening the core competence of every postal worker in the region thus regaining the trust and patronage of the mailing public.   

 

   The total expenditures incurred in CY 2008 amounted to P154,356,867.87.  It revealed an increase of P6,516,216.81 or a percentage rate of 4.41 as against last year’s figures.  The comparative breakdown of expenditures for CY 2007 and 2008, operating expenditures represented by Personal Services and MOOE increased. The increase was driven primarily by increases in compensation, allowances, wages of casual employees, retirement, terminal leave and other benefits under Personal Services and to the rising prices of gasoline, oil, lubricants, spare parts, transportation and other maintenance and operating expenses.