ABS-CBN Corp. on Wednesday announced the end of over three decades of regional news broadcast service on August 28 months after the denial of the company’s franchise by the House of Representatives last July 10.

The Lopez-led broadcasting company said 12 local “TV Patrol” programs will have their final newscasts on August 28.

ABS-CBN said this unfortunate development is the latest service affected by the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which also led to the closing of ABS-CBN Regional’s operations.

ABS-CBN Regional has been producing various local “TV Patrol” editions for airing on the network’s 21 regional stations for over three decades, serving viewers in the provinces with fast-and-reliable local and national news presented in their own dialects. 

These are TV Patrol North Luzon (Baguio, Dagupan, Ilocos, Isabela and Pampanga), TV Patrol Bicol (Naga, Legazpi), TV Patrol Palawan, TV Patrol Southern Tagalog (CALABARZON), TV Patrol Central Visayas (Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol), TV Patrol Negros (Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental), TV Patrol Panay (Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras), TV Patrol Eastern Visayas (Samar, Leyte), TV Patrol Northern Mindanao (Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental Lanao Del Norte, CARAGA, Dipolog), TV Patrol South Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN, Cotabato), TV Patrol Southern Mindanao (Davao), TV Patrol Chavacano (Zamboanga).

“ABS-CBN Regional serves Filipinos in remote areas not reached by other television signals. But more than delivering breaking news, ABS CBN Regional news teams are also the first to bring aid and relief to communities struck by calamities,” Tata Sy,  ABS-CBN Regional head said. 

Aside from local TV Patrol newscasts, ABS-CBN Regional will also stop producing new episodes of its nine morning shows, which have been keeping local audiences updated on news and infotainment every morning.  

Also affected are its public service initiatives anchored on health, education, environment, and livelihood held year-round, such as the “Grand Halad sa Kapamilya.”

Sy said part of ABS CBN Regional’s mission has always been to provide meaningful and sustainable public service—by linking individuals and communities to relevant donors; or by relaying problems and issues to government for prompt and appropriate action.

“Inspired by Kapitan Geny Lopez’ vision of building bridges in the air, ABS CBN Regional through its TV Patrol programs and public service has accomplished more than just building the proverbial bridges. In its distinctive way, ABS CBN Regional helped build a nation,” she said.

After the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order on May 5 that shut down ABS-CBN’s broadcast operations, ABS-CBN Regional continued producing newscasts and shows for streaming on its YouTube channel and Facebook pages.  Viewers may continue to watch their local “TV Patrol” and morning shows until August 28.