Dasmariñas Village homeowners oppose cell sites, slam DICT chief
Homeowners of Dasmariñas Village in Makati City described as ‘disturbing’ calls made by Information and Communications Technology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima to sanction homeowners’ associations which will obstruct government and telecommunications companies from building cell sites in gated subdivision as they fight to oust the cell sites from their community.
“Atty. Salima should be reminded that he is no longer the chief counsel of Globe Telecom. He should balance the interest of the industry he once served with the interest of the industry he once served with the interest of the general public,” said Fides Lim, a member of Dasma Coalition Advocating Radiation Emission Safety or Dasma Cares and Dasma Accountability, Transparency and Service (ACTS).
Salalima, last week, urged Congress to pass a legislation penalizing homeowners’ associations who will obstruct the government and telecommunications companies (telcos) from building cell sites inside private neighborhoods.
In a press briefing on Monday, resident Betty Dante Aw said there is an already an alarming increase of cell sites within Dasmarinas Village that could pose potential longer-term, cumulative dangers to human health.
“It started with four Outdoor Distributed Antenna System (ODAS) in 2008, now we have 55-57 ODAS and yet did not have better signals. We have to go outside the streets to have a good signal and we are radiated involuntarily, 24/7,” said Aw.
These cell sites, consisting of ODAS are mounted on utility poles and planted on sidewalks across the village.
The homeowners said the lease contract for the putting up of ODAS was entered into by the Dasmarinas Village Association (DVA) with Globe Telecom.
However, both homeowners groups, with around 200 members, question why the village sidewalks were leased by the DVA to the telcom when it is prohibited by the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations or Republic Act 9904.
Citing Section 10 of the law, the homeowners’ groups said a homeowner association like Dasmarinas Village Association is prohibited to lease sidewalks within the subdivision.
Moreover, under the 1998 Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Locational Guidelines for Base Stations of the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service, Pasig System, Trunking Service, Wireless Loop Service and other Wireless Communication Services, one of the documents required in securing a clearance to erect a cell site of ODAS is a written consent of a homeowner whose property adjoins the cell site or ODAS, cited Lim.
“No genuine consultation or referendum has ever been called to ascertain the true sentiment of about 2,489 homeowners and lessees on whether they are in favor of ODAS installations near their homes or even in parks where their children play,” Lim pointed.
As a group, Dasma ACTS said it advocates transparency and honesty and in time will take steps to determine the true will of the homeowners – whether for or against ODAS.
“We are not against technology per se. Technology and huge profits, however, should take a backseat to consumer health,” said Lim.
Inspired by examples of other villages that opposed cell sites, the groups have also mounted a campaign called “No to ODAS on My Sidewalk.” The homeowners began submitting forms to the village association, expressing opposition to the installation of ODAS or cell tower on the sidewalk adjoining their property.
Subdivisions including La Vista in Quezon City and Forbes Park in Makati City have opposed cell sites in their communities.