MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday asked local government units (LGUs) to expedite the issuance of permits to telecommunication companies for the construction of cell sites in their jurisdictions.
In a televised briefing, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure amid the health crisis posed by COVID-19.
“Hinihikayat po namin ang mga local government units na sa panahon po ng COVID, kailangan doblehin po natin yung ating mga investment in digital infrastructure at tulungan po natin yung mga internet service providers at companies para po mapabilis yung permits and clearances na pending po sa kanilang mga local government units,” Malaya said.
(We are encouraging LGUs that in the midst of COVID, we need to double our investment in digital infrastructure and help internet service providers and companies to hasten the issuances of their pending permits and clearances.)
“Meron din po tayong ginagawang hakbang ngayon together with the Anti-Red Tape Authority para po ma-streamline na yung mga permitting process para sa mga cell sites, yung tinatawag na mga common tower para po mapabilis na rin yung pagseset up ng cell sites sa mga lugar all over the Philippines,” he added.
(We are also taking steps together with the Anti-Red Tape Authority to streamline the permitting process for cell sites, what they call a common tower, to hasten the setting up of cell sites all over the Philippines.)
This way, Malaya said “gaps” in providing internet will be addressed, making way for the public to do transactions online.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier said it wants to reduce government permits for new cell sites in order to fast-track its construction.