DILG vows to go after LGUs that will not process application of telcos for cell sites

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday warned that it will go after local government units that will not take action within three days on pending applications of telecommunication companies for the building of cell sites or towers, in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive.

In an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the DILG is finalizing a list of LGUs with pending applications from telcos.

“Nag-i-inbentaryo na kami ngayon ng LGUs na may pending application. Dapat in three days, sabi ng Pangulo, aksyunan niyo ‘yan. Kapag hindi niyo inaksyunan ‘yan, automatically hahabulin natin ang mga LGUs na ‘yan,” he said.

(We are now conducting an inventory of LGUs with pending application. In three days, as the President said, you should take action on that. Otherwise, we will automatically go after the LGUs.)

Currently, the DILG already has an initial list of LGUs with pending applications based on information from the telecommunication companies, according to Año.

“Walang reason ‘yung LGUs na sabihin na walang application sa kanila (LGUs have no reason to say that they do not have applications from telcos0. We have to check your records and comply with the President’s instruction,” he added.

While the LGUs can disapprove the applications that lack requirements, Año said local officials should not delay the process of application for the permits.

He also revealed that some LGUs are asking for unreasonable requirements from telecommunication companies to build cell sites.

“Ibang klase ang mga hinihingi nila na masyadong [mataas], for example, ilagay sa private property ng isang mayor, o kaya ay napakataas ng maintenance regulation fee. Meron pang 1 million per site. Hindi naman pwede ‘yan, parang ginagatasan mo naman ‘yung ating telcos,” he added.

(They ask unreasonable requirements, for example, the telcos should build the cell towers on the private property of a mayor. Some also require a high maintenance regulation fee. There is also an LGU that requires 1 million per site from the telco. That should not be the case. They seem to be milking the telcos.)

In an earlier briefing, the Interior Chief said the processing period of permits for power infrastructure of telcos will now be shortened to a maximum of 20 days, following Duterte’s directive to improve the digital infrastructure in the country.

“Sa ginawa naming JMC (joint memorandum circular) mandating na from 200 days, magiging 16 na lang ang pagpapalabas ng permit clearance, maximum na yung 20 days. Kapag hindi ‘yan lumabas, dapat deemed as approved na ‘yan as long as kumpleto ang mga requirements,” said Año.

(Based on the JMC, the processing of permit clearance should be made within 16 to 20 days from the previous 200 days. If it is not released in the given timeframe, it will be deemed as approved as long as the requirements are complete.)