Poe: Gov’t officials delaying connectivity infra must be held liable

Government officials delaying the setting up of crucial connectivity infrastructures nationwide must be brought to account, Senator Grace Poe said Sunday.

Poe underscored that government agencies are mandated to process the necessary permits and clearances for infrastructures, including cell sites, within a maximum of seven working days.

“To deny our people their basic right to connectivity at this crucial period is sheer neglect and dereliction of duty,” she said in a statement.

“Connectivity is a must—from healthcare to education and business—in dealing with this unprecedented crisis. Hindi na dapat pang umakyat ng bundok o pumunta sa gilid ng highway ang ating mga guro at mag-aaral para lamang makasagap ng signal,” she added.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier said only 20,000 cell towers have been built in the Philippines, compared to Vietnam’s 70,000.

The senator said she expects bureaucratic delays in the processing of permits to be promptly addressed.

“It is a huge disservice to our people if we cannot even keep them connected amid the pandemic,” Poe said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News