1,502 cell tower applications out of 1,930 already approved by LGUs — Año

Out of 1,930 applications filed by telecommunications companies with local governments for permits to build cellular towers, 1,502 have already been approved, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.

In a late night briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, Año said the other 428 applications are still pending.

“Ang natira po ay 428 na pending applications at ito po ay babantayan namin para masigruadong hindi magtagal,” Año said.

He added that the application process has already been shortened to 16 days and the permits required have been reduced to eight.

“Sa susunod na linggo, babantayan namin ang mga pending na ito at sisiguraduhin na dapat maaprubahan at kung hindi naman, dapat malaman kung bakit hindi,” he added.

Last week, Malacañang directed local government units to act on applications of telecommunication companies to build cell towers within three days.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement after Duterte told prosecutors to file charges against local officials who fail to release the necessary papers requested within a certain time frame.

— Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News

Source: Peso Economics