Philippine Amateur Radio Association
National non-profit representing Philippine amateur radio operators.
The Philippine Amateur Radio Association Inc. (PARA) is a national non-profit organization that serves amateur radio operators in the Philippines. It is the officially recognized national umbrella group for the amateur radio service in the country. PARA represents Filipino amateur radio operators before both national and international telecommunications regulatory bodies, and it is the national member society for the Philippines in the International Amateur Radio Union.
Key benefits for PARA members include the sponsorship of amateur radio operating awards and contests, as well as a QSL bureau for those who regularly communicate with operators in other countries. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the country’s telecommunications regulator, issued Memorandum Circular No. 05-06-85, which recognizes PARA as the national amateur radio organization. This circular states that PARA shall represent Philippine amateurs in all local and international conferences, fostering coordination between radio amateurs and the government. It also requires that every district and local club affiliate with PARA without unnecessary delay. The NTC reaffirmed this recognition in Memorandum Circular No. 03-08-2012, specifically Section VIII (2), which declares that PARA is the only recognized national society of amateurs.
PARA’s organizational structure includes a five-member executive board elected every three years. The board selects from among its members the chief operating officer, vice chief operating officer, chief finance officer, and secretary general. The executive board for the 2023 to 2025 term consists of Ramon O. Purugganan (DU1CHN), Romeo Isidro (DU1SMQ), Lawrence Atanacio (DU1SVY), Leo M. Almazan (DU3ZX), and Sulpicio Henry M. Legaspi (4F9DOC). PARA also elects district managers to supervise affiliate clubs in different call areas, with elections held simultaneously with the executive board. The district directors for 2023 to 2025 are: District 1 – Ricky B. Lopez (DW1ZYY); District 2 – Atty. Jose Netu M. Tamayo (DU2LX); District 3 – Alex C. Laguisma (DU3AL); District 4 – Nomer T. Canuto (DU4VX); District 5 – Jerick M. Silva (4F5JMS); District 6 – Eliso Tuason (DU6XZ); District 7 – Sidney James M. Tan (DU7PH); District 8 – Roy G. Garbonera (DV8BQI); and District 9 – Ruselo Azucenas (DV9CWA).
Quick Facts
- Abbreviation
- PARA
- Formation
- 1932
- Headquarters
- 5th Floor, NTC Bldg., BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City / 14.64160 · 121.04492 · yes
- Location
- Philippines
- Region Served
- nationwide
- Language
- English
- Leader Title
- President
- Leader Name
- Ramon O. Purugganan, DU1CHN
- Affiliations
- International Amateur Radio Union
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
PARA was recognized by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) through Memorandum Circular No. 05-06-85, which stated that PARA, as governed by its new By Laws registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 08 May 1985, is the national amateur radio organization. The circular required every district and local club to affiliate with PARA without unnecessary delay. This recognition was emphasized anew in NTC Memorandum Circular No. 03-08-2012, which stated that PARA is the only recognized national society of amateurs.
PARA elects a five-member executive board every three years, who then elect from among themselves the chief operating officer, vice chief operating officer, chief finance officer, and secretary general. District managers are also elected simultaneously to supervise affiliate clubs in different call areas. For the term 2023 to 2025, the executive board and district directors are listed.
Membership in PARA consists of different amateur clubs in the Philippines. Under existing NTC regulations, an amateur club can be accredited by the NTC only if it is an affiliate club of PARA. The organization sponsors amateur radio operating awards and radio contests, and operates a QSL bureau for members who regularly communicate with amateur radio operators in other countries.
Reader's Guide
PARA's significance lies in its exclusive recognition by the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission as the sole national amateur radio organization. This status gives it authority to represent all Filipino amateurs in local and international conferences, and to foster coordination between radio amateurs and the government. The NTC mandate requiring all district and local clubs to affiliate with PARA establishes it as the central coordinating body for amateur radio in the Philippines. Its role as the national member society of the International Amateur Radio Union connects Filipino operators to the global amateur radio community. The organization's sponsorship of operating awards and contests, along with its QSL bureau, supports international communication and recognition among amateur radio operators. The three-year electoral cycle for the executive board and district directors provides structured governance across the country's call areas. By controlling accreditation of amateur clubs through NTC regulations, PARA maintains a unified national framework for amateur radio activities, ensuring consistent standards and representation for the hobby and service in the Philippines.
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