Globe appeals for rationalized LGU fees, expedited permit processing

Globe Telecom Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu appealed to local government units (LGUs) for rationalized fees and expedited processing of permits to put up cellular towers across the country.

Following threats by President Rodrigo Duterte that telecommunications firms that failed to improve services by December would be shut down, Cu cited the "debilitating" process of securing permits to build cellular sites and towers.

"Each year, we make massive investments in billions of pesos to make our network perform at par with other counties. However, we can only go as far as what our existing infrastructure can give," he said.

"If we want robust connectivity we really need to build more cell sites and roll out more fiber to homes. The current permitting process and fee structures simply do not allow us to do these," he added.

Cu said that at present, some 29 to 35 permits are needed to build a single tower, which takes at least eight months.

Just last week, during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte threatened to shut down dominant telecommunications firms Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. if they failed to improve their services by December.

"Kindly improve the services before December. I want to call Jesus Christ to Bethlehem. Better have that line cleared," said Duterte.

In response, Globe said it will heed the order, as it noted that it has earmarked $1.2 billion for its capital expenditure this year alone.

"This is a time when all industry stakeholders need to work together for the benefit of the consuming public. Connectivity is now an essential need especially during this pandemic. Let's turn a new leaf and help enable the industry to build," Cu said Sunday.

Cu has since met with Duterte to explain the difficulties telecommunications companies face in securing permits to build towers or cell sites.

Duterte then ordered his Cabinet to employ the "most drastic measure you can find," with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano noting that a joint memorandum circular has already been signed to shorten such process.

He was referring to the government's common tower policy, whose guidelines were released by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) last month.

The planned common tower policy seeks to free telecommunications companies from costly capital expenditures in building communication towers.

"We thank President Duterte for giving us the opportunity to present our predicament, and for his swift action on our problem with tedious LGU permits for the construction of our cell sites. We are hopeful that we can get more cooperation from LGUs and HOAs," said Cu.

"As Filipinos adapt to the new normal, having ample ICT infrastructure is particularly important to improve internet speed, increase coverage and capacity for data hungry customers. In addition, having many cell sites is critical to successfully roll out advanced technologies like 5G services in the country," he added.

To recall, Globe in 2017 blamed homeowners' associations in at least 25 villages in Metro Manila, including Makati City, for blocking the construction of cell sites and as a result, causing insufficient telecom services in particular areas.

It also earlier filed a civil suit against a resident of the upscale Dasmariñas Village in Makati City for preventing the telco from constructing cell sites inside the subdivision. — DVM, GMA News