MALACAÑANG’S initiative to cut red tape in the processing of permits for telecommunications infrastructure, particularly at the local government level, to improve internet access has received the support of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte on Sunday.
A proposal drafted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology to reduce red tape to a week from an average of eight months could help address the high demand for mobile data usage, he said.
“Malacanang’s approval of the draft executive order will send another strong signal to investors that the Duterte administration is serious on cutting red tape and helping ease doing business in the country,” he added.
The DICT earlier said it had already finalized the draft executive order in consultation with telecoms firms and other stakeholders, and would soon submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte for approval.
“All applications or renewal of business permits and licenses to install and operate public [utility] services, such as telecommunications and broadcast facilities, value-added services, and cable television shall be completed and issued not more than seven days from the receipt of said applications,” the EO read.
After the lapse of the seven-day period without any action taken, the officer concerned must immediately elevate the matter to the local government executives who should decide on whether to grant or deny the application within two days.
“If the local chief executive fails to act within the period of two days, such application/renewal shall be deemed granted,” the EO stated.
At present, at least 25 permits have to be secured to allow the construction of a base transceiver station or cell site tower.
Villafuerte said the government must also listen to the calls by different telecoms firms to standardize fees in securing permits that range from P5,000 to P200,000 depending on the policy of a local government unit.
He said he has filed a bill to complement the national government’s efforts to get rid of the obstacles for telecoms companies to improve their services and speed up internet connections.
House Bill No. 4695 seeks to protect the interests of mobile service consumers by regulating prices, requiring proper detailed billing of both prepaid and postpaid subscriptions, and providing full mobile number portability.
