MANILA, Philippines—Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday that it will now take less than a month for telecommunications companies to secure their permits to build their cell towers.
The Department of Interior and Local Government, Anti-Red Tape Authority, and other corresponding agencies issued a joint memorandum circular (JMC) that will streamline the documentary requirements and processing time for the building permits of the telecommunication towers.
Año said that this was done following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to improve the digital infrastructure in the country.
“Before it would take 200 days to apply for a permit, but with the JMC we are joined by other agencies and local government units to help with the processing so that they could get their permits in less than a month,” said Año in Filipino in a statement.
“Before it would need resolutions from the homeowners’ association, sangguniang bayan, but now it won’t be needed. Any step that will slow down the process has been removed.”
Among those required to build a telecommunications tower were barangay clearance; documentary requirements for building permit applications on common towers such as Unified Application Form for Locational Permit, Fire Safety Evaluation Certificate, Building Permit, property documents (owners/authorized occupants of Registered/Untitled lands, authorized occupants of registered land), and select ancillary permit and accessory permits requirements.
Año said application for locational clearance, barangay clearance, Fire Safety Evaluation Certificate, and Building Permit shall proceed without the need for written consent from homeowners association or the condominium owner, among others.
He hopes that the telecommunications companies will take the opportunity to improve internet services especially for those who rely on the facility for their work or education.
“I hope they take this golden opportunity to further improve their service to the public.”