There will be faster construction of telecommunication towers and other facilities after the new Bayanihan 2 law has temporarily suspended permits sought by these companies for three years, Malacañang said Monday.
As the pandemic accelerates the digital transformation in workplaces and schools, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said they hope the easing of permits needed for telco infrastructure would facilitate the improvement of the country's telco and internet services.
Republic Act No. 11494 or the "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act," allows a three-year suspension of requirements to secure permits and clearances, excluding building permit, for the construction, repair, operation and maintenance of telecommunications and internet infrastructure. For homeowners and other community clearances, the requirements provided in the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act will apply.
The latest move aims to address the need for digital connectivity, internet speed and stability and cybersecurity in e-commerce, e-government, online learning, and telecommuting and meet the public's shift to online services and platforms during the pandemic.
"Tungkol naman po sa deployment ng critical Information and Communications Technology infrastructure, pansamantalang sinuspinde ang requirement na pagkuha ng permit at clearances para sa pagtayo ng telecommunications at internet infrastructure (On the deployment of critical Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure, the requirement of permits and clearances for building telecommunication and internet infrastructure is temporarily suspended)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised press briefing Monday.
"Ibig sabihin po, mapapabilis iyong pagtatayo ng mga telecoms towers para po magkaroon ng malaking improvement sa cellular at sa internet service natin (This means, the construction of telecom towards will be hastened to ensure huge improvement in our cellular and internet services)," he said.
The Bayanihan 2 law also calls for the streamlining regulatory process for the development and improvement of digital, internet, and satellite technology infrastructure.
All applications for cell sites and similar telecom and internet facilities must be approved or disapproved within seven days from date of application as received. An application not acted upon within such period is deemed approved.
"The advantages of temporary suspension of requirements and streamlining of regulatory processes shall also apply to other value-added service providers and internet service providers in the establishment and operation of necessary equipment and facilities, and use of necessary technologies in order to expand the coverage of broadband internet networks and provide connectivity to undeserved and underserved communities," the law read.
The law also stated that no court, except the Supreme Court, shall issue any temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or preliminary mandatory injunction against the construction of telecommunications infrastructure.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, the President warned Globe Telecom and Smart Communications to improve their services by December or else face expropriation. Duterte has criticized the telcos for their "lousy" service to the public.
The President later learned from a telco executive that the approval of permits for cell towers has been delayed at the local level.
This prompted the President to urge municipal boards and city councils to act on the applications for permits by telecommunication companies within three days.