Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government to include the review of electronics permit requirements in the ongoing reassessment of the National Building Code, saying outdated and inconsistent local permitting practices continue to slow down digital infrastructure rollout across the country.
The call came after Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince ordered a review of the decades-old National Building Code to address regulatory bottlenecks and improve ease of doing business in infrastructure development.
In a statement, CitizenWatch lead convenor Orlando Oxales said the review presents an opportunity to streamline permitting processes tied to digital infrastructure, particularly the electronics permit system imposed on broadband internet facilities such as cell towers, antenna systems, and communications equipment.
“Secretary Dizon is correct in recognizing that many provisions of the Building Code already need updating to match present-day infrastructure realities,” Oxales said.
“One area that deserves immediate attention is the electronics permit framework, which has become an additional layer of cost, complexity, and delay for telecommunications builds,” he added.
Under the implementing rules of the National Building Code, electronics permits and inspection fees are already prescribed for communications infrastructure, including antenna towers, communications systems, broadcast facilities, and other electronic installations.
CitizenWatch noted, however, that broadband connectivity service providers continue to face varying local regulatory charges and permitting requirements imposed by some local government units (LGUs), resulting in inconsistent implementation across jurisdictions.
Oxales pointed to existing government issuances seeking to streamline telecommunications infrastructure permitting, including DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-099, which states that “no additional local government fees such as tower fees, pole fees, and other regulatory fees similar in nature” should be imposed beyond authorized charges.
“Different LGUs impose different documentary requirements, processing timelines, and electronics-related charges on top of what is already prescribed under the Building Code. These additional burdens create unnecessary delays and costs in rolling out connectivity infrastructure,” Oxales said.
“Every additional permit, every additional fee, and every delay translates into additional costs that could otherwise be invested in expanding coverage, improving service quality, or accelerating new network builds,” he added.
