PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have reaffirmed their support for government initiatives to continuously streamline permitting processes for the rollout of telco infrastructure nationwide.
“PLDT and Smart continue to support the great strides accomplished by the ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority) and this administration in reducing the time, cost, requirements, and procedures of transacting with the government,” Pamela Felizarta, Smart head of joint strategic operations, said in a statement.
Since 2019, PLDT said, it has been working closely with ARTA, government agencies such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, local government units, and other industry stakeholders and telcos to streamline the process of securing permits for the construction and deployment of telco infrastructure.
“Our whole-of-nation approach to improve bureaucratic efficiency involves empowering all levels of government, including the barangays, in order to see faster improvements in the delivery of services. This way, issues such as traffic, security, peace and order, and sanitation can be easily addressed, in keeping with the President’s vision of a government that acts as a red carpet — welcoming and supportive for all Filipinos,” said ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez.
Previously, PLDT also supported ARTA’s telco workshops, which aimed to further address the bottlenecks in the permitting, licensing and authorizing process to improve connectivity.
