8.3K permits for telecom towers granted

More than 8,300 permits and clearances to build cell towers of telecommunications companies have been approved by 668 local government units, or LGUs, across the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Monday.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said that as of 15 September, 8,311 permits for telecom towers had been approved by cities and municipalities, while 2,404 permits were still being processed in 229 cities and municipalities.

Abalos said the DILG is monitoring the processing of permits and will issue show-cause orders to LGUs that delay the process.

He said this is in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to improve and digitalize business processes, as he underscored DILG efforts to build smart cities and sustainable communities.

Abalos said LGUs are streamlining their regulatory processes in line with Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Act. He cited his experience as a mayor of Mandaluyong City where complaints from the public were immediately acted on.

He said Executive Order 32, signed by the President last July, streamlined permit processes for the construction of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure.

The EO states that no other national or local permits or clearances shall be required for the construction and operation of telecommunications and internet infrastructure except those required by law.

"There is usually a lot of red tape when building a telecoms tower. Because of this executive order, the requirements have been reduced and we expect interconnectivity to improve," he said in Filipino.

He added that efforts are being exerted to adopt digital or electronic facilities for business registration and renewal, and for the assessment and collection of local taxes, fees, and charges, as well as to shift to cashless payments pursuant to EO 170.

"We have a joint initiative with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas called Paleng-QR. When you buy vegetables and food at the market, you no longer need to bring cash. Several LGUs across the country are now into cashless transactions through this system," he explained.