TO ADDRESS public concerns on health and transparency regarding cell tower projects, the Cebu City Government has urged telecommunication companies and government agencies concerned to engage residents and other stakeholders in a public forum.
In a press conference on Feb. 10, 2025, Garcia acknowledged the urgency of fast-tracking cell tower projects to improve connectivity, especially in today’s world “where students and employees rely on strong internet access for daily tasks.”
However, he emphasized the need for government agencies to balance transparency and proper consultation with local communities.
Garcia recalled that, while he was with the Cebu City Zoning Board, he frequently received complaints from barangay officials and residents about cell towers being built on their premises without prior consultation or public hearings.
Garcia was able to attend a meeting with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Feb. 5, wherein he sought clarification about a 2020 joint memorandum circular from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) that streamlines the approval process for cell tower construction.
The joint memorandum, issued during the pandemic, seeks to expedite cell tower construction nationwide by bypassing the need for barangay ordinances and public consultations before project approval.
Remulla, who met with local officials at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, explained that the memorandum remains in effect to address the country’s lagging telecommunications infrastructure.
He cited comparative data from Vietnam, which has 36,000 cell towers for 70 million people, while the Philippines has only 12,000 to 14,000 towers serving over 100 million residents.
He added that barangay ordinances are often viewed as a major barrier to expanding telecommunications networks, slowing efforts to improve digital connectivity.
To support digital transformation, Garcia said the City government recently launched free public Wi-Fi at Plaza Sugbo, in front of City Hall, and at Plaza Independencia.
He said he aims to expand this initiative to all 80 barangays and major public schools. / EHP