Bayanihan 2 paves way for faster construction of telco towers –Drilon

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Saturday said that the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the Bayanihan 2 will pave the way for the faster construction of cell towers in the Philippines.

Drilon said the measure contains a provision that will temporarily suspend most permits for the installation of cell towers in the country for the next three years.

"Tatlong taon ang hiningi ng industriya para makumpleto ang pangangailangan sa karagdagang cell sites. Inalis natin yung mga requirements for the next three years except for the building permit. Wala ng red tape. Wala ng sagabal. Wala na silang rason na mahina pa rin ang linya pagkatapos ng tatlong taon,” Drilon said in a radio interview.

In a separate statement, the senator said there are 29 to 35 documentary requirements and permits needed before a tower to be built.

The permits include the 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.

Meanwhile, Drilon advised caution on the agreement made with China-backed Dito Telecommunity Corporation, which will pave the way for the installation of the firm’s telecommunication facilities inside military camps.

"Ang DITO, ang kumpanyang iyan ay may investment ang Republic of China, foreign company, hindi natin alam kung sino ang magpapatakbo. Ingatan natin,” Drilon said.

"Ako hindi ko pabor na diyan ilagay sa mga military camps. Marami namang lupain na libre. Kaya ako hindi ako pabor diyan. Iyan ay nakakatakot, just to be candid about it,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which provides a COVID-19 relief package worth P165.5 billion.

The Bayanihan 2 will be effective until December 19, 2020. — DVM, GMA News