Residents of Cerritos Heights, through the Cerritos Heights Homeowners Association Inc. (CHHAI), are seeking the installation of a fiber internet and landline facility in their subdivision in Molino 4, Bacoor City, Cavite.
In a petition with the Office of the Mayor, residents of Cerritos Heights Phases 1 and 2, Cerritos Terraces, and Cerritos Hills Phases 1, 2, and 3 complained that Planet Cable is the only provider of fixed internet in all phases of their subdivision.
The petitioners complained that because of the monopoly, they have been forced to bear Planet Cable’s poor service and inefficient customer support.
Planet Cable has yet to react to queries for comment as of posting time.
“We wish to assert our right to enjoy the benefits of competition, especially in getting the best possible internet provider. The need for reliable connectivity is even more pronounced today, especially as the uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing everyone to adapt to the new normal. This means work-from-home is no longer an option but a requirement in order to keep jobs. Students will also transition to online learning because this is now part of the Philippine education system,” the complaining residents stressed.
The petitioners slammed Planet Cable for depriving them of the privilege to apply for landline phone service. They claimed that the developer has also failed to provide for telephone facility for the more than 2,000 homes in their subdivision, “probably for fear that this will pave the way for internet competition.”
“This is a complete disservice to us, especially now that Bacoor is part of the Metro Manila line. Having a landline in our homes would have allowed us who work in the central business districts of the National Capital Region to reach our loved ones easily, without incurring call charges,” the homeowners' group added.
The CHHAI expressed hope their petition would finally prompt the government, especially Brgy. Molino IV, the City Government of Bacoor, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, and the Philippine Competition Commission, as well as private telecommunication providers, namely Globe Telecoms, PLDT, and Converge, to finally end the monopoly of Planet Cable.
