DICT mulls EO to speed up processing of telco licenses

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) may submit this week to President Rodrigo Duterte a draft executive order (EO) mandating local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies to expedite the processing of permits and licenses for putting up telecommunication and broadcast facilities.

DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima said his department is looking to submit the draft EO to the Office of the President this week. 

Under the proposed EO, all applications or renewal of business permits and licenses to install and operate public services such as telecommunications and broadcast facilities, value added services, and Cable TVs should be completed and issued not more than seven days from its receipt. 

“The decision granting or denying such application/renewal shall be in writing directly prepared by the officer concerned, stating clearly and distinctly the grounds for its approval or denial, signed by him and issued within the seven-day period,” the proposed EO read.

If on the seventh day the decision granting or denying the application/renewal is not completed and issued, the officer concerned would immediately elevate the matter to the local chief executive, with an explanation in writing the reasons for the delay.

After the application is elevated to the local chief executive, he or she would have two days within which to decide on whether to grant or deny the application/renewal. 

Should the local chief executive fail to act within two days, such application/renewal would be deemed granted.

The proposed EO would be incorporated in the Citizen’s Charter of all LGUs in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

The DICT came up with a draft EO to speed up processing of permits for telco facilities given the long time it takes for such to be approved and released. 

At present, it takes at least eight months to get the approval of at least 25 permits needed to construct one cell site.