THE bicameral conference committee (bicam) has adopted a proposal to suspend for three years some permits for the installation and operation of cell towers under the Bayanihan 2 bill.
In its first meeting Friday, August 14, 2020, the bicam adopted the provision introduced by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to suspend some permits for three years in a bid to fast-track the construction of telecommunication towers in the country.
Not covered by the proposed suspension is the building permit, which contractors still have to secure.
The bicam, led by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and House Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte, held its first meeting on Friday to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the Senate and House versions of the Bayanihan 2 bill.
In case of refusal of homeowners' associations to allow telco towers, a referendum, supervised by the barangay council, can be called in the subdivision to decide on the issue, Drilon said.
There are about 29 to 35 documentary requirements and permits before a single tower could be built in a subdivision, barangay or town, Drilon noted.
These permits include consent of the neighbors, barangay resolution, certificate of non-coverage, zoning clearance, height clearance, radiation evaluation studies, building permit, a city or municipal resolution, occupancy permit, mayor's permit, memorandum of agreement with DENR-NIPAS, among others.
Drilon said these complex requirements remain "the biggest stumbling block for more reliable and faster internet and telecommunication services in the country.”
The move is seen to pave the way for faster construction of telco towers to improve telecommunications in the country.
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala of Globe Telecom Inc. lauded the senator's move to simplify requirements for telco towers construction.
"Thank you for the extraordinary addition of simplifying the permits needed for telco infrastructure into the law. I cannot tell you how important this is. A very big thank you from all of us in the industry," Zobel de Ayala said in a text message to Drilon.
Drilon said the three-year reprieve period would give telcos sufficient time to complete the infrastructure required to improve their services.
Telcos complained of the bureaucratic red tape that has delayed cell tower projects in the provinces after President Rodrigo Duterte gave them until December to improve their services.
The Bayanihan 2 bill, which is the second version of the Bayanihan law, lists measures and allocates funds for the government's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.
The Senate version provides for a P140-billion standby fund will the House version allocates P162 billion for various purposes. (SunStar Philippines from PR)