DICT cuts common tower red tape
Since last year, we have been working on streamlining the permitting for ITC.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday committed to streamline and speed up the processing of and release of common tower permits.
In a statement, DICT Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Rey Caintic said the regulator eyes cutting redundant permit requirements for independent tower companies (ITC) by 52 percent before the year ends.
“Since last year, we have been working on streamlining the permitting for ITC. We are also looking into reducing the average processing days,” Caintic said.
According to DICT chief Gregorio Honasan III, streamlining the procedure will speed up the roll-out of common towers that will enhance wireless network coverage and quality of ICT services across the country.
This will also fast track the deployment of so-called shared passive telecommunications tower infrastructure (PTTI) across all regions of the country, especially in the unserved and underserved areas.
A joint memorandum circular (MC) for streamlining the issuance of permits is expected to be signed among the DICT, Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development within the next months.
The MC complies with Title V, Sections 20 to 25, or the Permitting Process for the Construction and Operation of Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructures stipulated in the recently issued Department Circular 8 or the Shared PTTI Policy. It also follows Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 which seeks to simplify current systems and procedures of government services.