Ernest Cu cites 25 permits and “miscellaneous fees.”
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte orders his Cabinet to find the “most drastic measure” against those officials causing the delays in the approval of permits to construct cell towers.
Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu, during the Cabinet meeting last July 31, 2020, raised concerns to President Duterte about the long delays in the approval of 25 or more permits and “miscellaneous fees” before the start of construction of cell towers.
To successfully build 1,500 cell towers in one year, Globe Telecom needs to start the construction of 5,000 towers, the Globe Telecom CEO said. This is because they do not know what specific tower will proceed or not.
Duterte on cell towers
“Isumbong na lang ninyo diretso (You report directly),” President Duterte told the Globe Telecom official referring to those causing the delays and asking for so-called miscellaneous fees.
Interior and Local Governments Secretary Eduardo Año reported meeting the different departments and agencies involved in issuing the permits last July 22, 2020. They signed a joint memorandum circular that cuts the processing time from 200 days to 16-20 days.
