A telecom company has noted a significant improvement in the permitting process for the construction of towers but noted challenges continue to persist particularly on the local governments side.
In a statement on Thursday, Globe Telecom reported it has seen a 20 percent improvement in permit processing and issuance from 2022 to mid-2024. with the implementation of Executive Order No. 32 (EO 32) which streamlined the procedures for the telecommunication industry.
Globe said from 2021 to the first half of the year, it has built over 4,000 cell towers and deployed more than 3 million fiber-to-the-home lines.
It said these developments have been vital to Globe’s 5G and fiber infrastructure expansion which addresses the nation’s growing demand for affordable, reliable, and accessible connectivity
But Globe noted persistent challenges, such as failure to implement the Electronic Business One Stop Shop, varying requirements and ordinances in some local government units (LGUs), have slowed the pace of tower construction in certain areas and raised costs due to additional fees and extended approval times.
Globe emphasized the importance of eliminating excessive fees and requirements to create a more supportive environment for telco infrastructure growth.
At the recent 2024 Ease of Doing Business Convention organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority Globe underscored the need for more LGUs to consistently apply streamlined processes under EO 32 to maximize its potential to reduce bottlenecks associated with securing essential permits.
