BAGUIO CITY—The city council has asked the committee on public utilities, traffic and transport legislation to study all documents on the request of Upper Market Subdivision barangay for the relocation of a 60-meter Globe Telecom tower built in a residential area more than two decades ago.
The directive was issued in preparation for a hearing with experts from the health department to settle the issue of radiation.
The committee was tasked to look into all angles of the request after Globe filed a motion with the local legislative body for reconsideration of Resolution 239, series of 2008 that supported the request of the barangay for the immediate relocation of its tower.
The committee will investigate complaints by the residents that the tower has caused breath, stomach and ovarian cancers over the past several years.
The residents also questioned the stability of the tower in the event of a strong earthquake.
It will be recalled that the barangay council of Upper Market Subdivision endorsed the putting up of the Globe tower in their barangay in 1996 but it revoked its endorsement in 1999 after residents cited the health and safety hazards posed by the metal structure.
The members of the committee will decide in the coming weeks whether or not to invite all parties, including their technical personnel, to an ocular inspection to ascertain the tower’s stability.
Lawyer Solgrandioso David Jr., head of Globe Telecom’s government regulatory compliance division and corporate and legal services, said the network complied with all requirements for the tower and the health issues raised by the concerned residents were addressed.
David lauded this move and said Globe will abide by the council’s decision but warned mobile phone users that their signal in the central business district area will be compromised once the tower is moved.