By BEN SERRANO Correspondent BUTUAN City–The interconnection of telephones have remained to be a problem in Caraga, and more and more complaints are being made each day, the National Telecom-munications Commission (NTC) said yesterday. NTC director for Caraga Engr. Rudy Valdez and NTC engineer Butch Quitalig said the problems on inter-connection and the operation of radio stations without NTC permits, have been worsening in the region. They said the problem on interconnection was a matter only the NTC in Manila could solve. Valdez and Quitalig said they met the other day with executives of Globe Commu-nications, Philcom and Cruztelco to discuss the problem. They said the NTC has already sent letters to the firms to inform them of the need to interconnect. The NTC officials said they were told the matter to would be brought to the attention of their superiors in Manila. Because of the failure to interconnect, telephone users in the region would continue to pay long-distance rates even for local calls if the receivers are subscribers of other telecommuications companies. “When officials in Manila act, the interconnection problem will be a thing of the past,” said the NTC regional director. Valdez said the NTC here was also trying its best to monitor, and report to its central office in Manila so cease and desist orders against fly-by-night radio stations can be issued, and in order to compel telecommunications firms to interconnect as provided by law under RA 7925. Quitalig said a team from the NTC regional office was fielded to two towns in Surigao del Sur to check the veracity of reports about some FM stations in the area operating without NTC permits. Quitalig said the team’s report would be sent to the NTC in Manila so it could decide on whether or not to issue cease-and-desist orders.