The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is supporting the initiative of the Department of Public Works and Highways to allow telecommunications companies occupy a portion of the government’s right of way assets to facilitate infrastructure buildup and speed up improvements to connectivity services in the country.
“To address the increased need for internet connectivity services during the state of public health emergency, we must prioritize the faster rollout of ICT infrastructures like cellular towers,” DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said.
“We fully support the DPWH’s initiative and we hope that this will help address the issues of congestion, connection reliability and coverage in the near future,” he added.
The department issued DPWH Department Order No. 29 (DO 29), or the “DPWH Policy on Telecommunications and Internet Infrastructure Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11494,” on March 23, 2021 that eases restrictions on telecommunications companies planning to construct ICT infrastructure projects along national roads.
The DPWH said the DICT, along with the Anti-Red Tape Authority and the National Telecommunications Commission, were instrumental in paving the way for the issuance of DO 29. Since last year, these agencies had urged the DPWH to revisit and establish more “conducive” ROW regulations to help improve internet connectivity in the country.
DO 29 allows telcos and ICT service providers to “construct and undertake excavations and/or restoration work for ICT Infrastructure Projects within the allowable ROW limits of the national roads.”
DO 29 will automatically expire application in 2024 after the lapse of three years from its signing and approval.
“PLDT and Smart are committed to working with the government in ensuring continuous service and a great experience for our customers as we keep them safe and connected amid the pandemic,” Alfredo Panlilio, Smart Communications president and chief executive and PLDT Inc. chief revenue officer said.
Froilan Castelo, general counsel of Globe Telecom Inc. thanked the DPWH for its proactive action “as this department order will help accelerate the deployment of ICT infrastructure as the country continues to battle the effects of the pandemic.”
Globe has earmarked a record P70 billion in capital expenditures this year. It is allocating 80 percent of the budget on data network construction to deliver world-class internet connectivity to Filipinos.
PLDT and Smart are prepared to invest between P88 billion and P92 billion in capital expenditures in 2021.