DWAN (1206 AM) is a radio station owned and operated by the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation. The station's studio is located at the IBC Compound, Lot 3-B, Capitol Hills Drive cor. Zuzuarregui Street, Brgy. Matandang Balara, Diliman, Quezon City, and its transmitter is located in Brgy. Marulas, Valenzuela City. It operates daily from 5:00 AM to 12:00 MN.

History

The station was established in 1973 by the Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation, a company owned by the late Marcos crony Roberto Benedicto, on 1160 AM under the call letters DWWA. In November 1978, it transferred its frequency to 1206 AM, in response to the adoption of the 9 kHz spacing on AM radio stations in the Philippines under the Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975. In 1984, it changed its call letters to DWAN.

When BBC was dissolved as a television network after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, ownership of the station was transferred to the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation under the name IBC Broadkast Patrol. Prior to this, IBC owned DWKW 1280/1386 AM. By this time, it was located at the now-demolished Broadcast City complex. Among its roster of presenters under the Broadkast Patrol brand after the People Power Revolution were the late Tita Betty Mendez, Henry Jones Ragas, Susan Enriquez and Friendly Nicky.

On November 25, 1996, DWAN, this time under the management of Bubby Dacer, then head of the Asia–Pacific News & Features (ASPAC News), returned on air.[1][2] Ducky Paredes took over the operations upon its relaunch in late June 1997.[3] Notable announcers included Rod Navarro, Giovanni Calvo,[2][3] Pol Velasco,[1][3] Barr Samson, Lilia Andolong,[2] Cesar Chavez, and (the late) John Susi.[1] It went off the air in 2004.

On September 24, 2007, the station re-launched as MMDA Traffic Radio under the management of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and transferred its studios to the agency's Communications and Command Center at EDSA corner Orense Street in Makati while maintaining its transmission facilities at Tapayan, Taytay, Rizal. Similar to American traveler's information stations and Japanese highway advisory radio, the station provided real-time traffic updates, public service reminders and tourism shows promoting the 17 cities and towns within Metro Manila. Some of its programs were later simulcast on cable television through MMDA TV.

Despite being managed by MMDA, it also tapped program writers and veteran radio announcers Barr Samson, Ben Paypon, Hero Robregado and Gani Oro in its first few months before being controversially dismissed due to policy differences.[4]

In 2008, the Metro Manila Council endorsed a resolution for the agency to be granted its own legislative broadcasting franchise but never came into fruition in the Congress.[5]

On July 13, 2010, MMDA Traffic Radio went off the air as an effect of Typhoon Basyang (Conson)'s onslaught, but returned on-air after a week. However, on August 17, 2010, both the AM station and MMDA TeleRadyo permanently ceased operations as part of austerity measures. Prior to its closure, the radio and cable TV operation was costing the agency at least 1 million every month.[6]

On January 18, 2024, IBC announced its plans to revive the frequency with a full-service format. It was launched on June 20,[7] with programs launched on July 1. Two days later, its TeleRadyo feed was added as IBC's digital subchannel.

Programming

Notable presenters

Current

Past

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "DwAN back on air". Manila Standard. Manila: Philippine Manila Standard Publishing. November 22, 1996. p. 39B. Retrieved September 25, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  2. ^ a b c d Jimenez, Alex (December 30, 1996). "Year ender: That was radio in '96". Manila Standard. Manila. p. 26B. Retrieved February 21, 2025 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c d "dwAN reopens". Manila Standard. Manila. July 1, 1997. p. A8. Retrieved February 21, 2025 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Sun.Star: MMDA chief to be sued for dismissal of radio announcers". GMA News and Sun Star. February 25, 2008. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Villanueva, Rhodina (September 7, 2008). "Metro mayors endorse MMDA radio franchise". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "Inquirer.net, MMDA stops radio, TV operations". Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c Velasco, Bill (June 1, 2024). "DWAN returns". The Philippine Star. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved June 1, 2024.

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