Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National President and Quirino Gov. Dax Cua on Tuesday expressed support for national government initiatives to streamline the processes involved in securing permits to build cellular towers, and stressed that local government unit (LGU) executives would work with the government agencies and telecommunications companies to improve information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in the country as this was a vital component in LGU efforts to adapt to the “new normal.”
Cua pointed out that in his fifth State of the Nation Address, “President Rodrigo Duterte urged the government, especially LGUs, to take our services online so we can avoid long lines and reduce the number of people trooping to government offices.”
“I am sure all LGUs will do their best to comply with the JMC issued by the DILG.”
“Increasing LGU presence online makes sense, but together with this we also have to make the internet more accessible to our constituents, and one way we can do this is by improving data services in the provinces so they can go online with their smart phones,” said Cua.
The former legislator also said that with the country adopting distance learning protocols this schoolyear, improving access to the internet is a priority to allow students to utilize online learning tools.
“Ngayon na walang face to face classes, napakahalaga na mabilis at maayos ang internet natin para magamit ito sa distance learning.”
Following the President’s directive to improve digital infrastructure in the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that it will now take less than a month from the previous six to seven months to secure government permits to build telecommunications towers in the country.
“Streamlining the telco tower process should be part of the national-local playbook.”
According to DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año, the DILG and Anti-Red Tape Authority, together with other national government agencies (NGAs), have issued a joint memorandum circular (JMC) streamlining documentary requirements and processing time for building permit applications on shared passive telecommunications tower infrastructure commonly referred to as telecommunications towers.
Cua said that ULAP would urge its members to comply with the JMC, and work with the DILG should any issues arise from its implementation.
“We all want to do our share to improve telco services in the country, and I am sure all LGUs will do their best to comply with the JMC issued by the DILG. However, there may be some unforeseen situations on the ground that have not yet been factored in the drafting of the JMC,” explained Cua.
“Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, handa naman kami sa LGU na makipagtulungan sa DILG at sa ibang ahensya ng gobyerno; streamlining the telco tower process should be part of the national-local playbook to build back better to deal with the current pandemic, as well as future outbreaks.”
The JMC prescribes that LGUs and NGAs shall only require documents stipulated in the memorandum and are prohibited from requiring anything else from applicant network providers. Among the reduced requirements are: 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.