Get brgy nod on cell sites, Smart told

CEBU, Philippines - Telecom giant Smart Communications wants to put up cell sites in eight barangays in Cebu City to strengthen its network coverage but was told it has to listen to what residents of these barangays have to say.

Smart wants to put the cell sites up in Barangays Duljo Fatima, Kalubihan, Talamban, Kalunasan, Sambag 2, Apas, Sto Niño and Guadalupe.

Councilor Raymond Garcia, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on laws, ordinances, and styling, said they have returned Smart’s request for a permit back to the company.

“We should inform SMART Communications, Inc. that they should first make a proper application with the respective barangays where they intend to install their proposed cell site towers,” Garcia said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales said it is important for Smart to get the pulse of the people in the eight barangays especially after the City Council revoked the special permits of a cell site of another telecom in Barangay Apas.

The council closed the site down following numerous complaints from residents of Sitio Calvary Hills. The residents wanted the site closed because of the radiation that allegedly caused cancer-related deaths in the area.

“Dapat gyod ning tun-an kay we don’t want nga the same incident sa Barangay Apas katong atong gi-revoke nga special permits sa cell site kay naay reklamo nga mga residents nga naay nangamatay allegedly because of the radiation,” Andales told The FREEMAN.

He said the council will base its action on the decision of the barangays.

Nevertheless, Andales believes the barangays should also take into consideration the benefits of a better network coverage.

Victorio Costes, Jr. of Smart’s Technical Services Division said a nod from the council would ensure a “mutually beneficial relationship” between the company and the city.

“Smart Communi-cations, Inc. is constantly finding ways of better serving our subscribers. We provide the most modern and world-class telecommunications services nationwide,” he said in a February 8 letter addressed to Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the council’s presiding officer.

The letter was then referred to the council’s committee on urban planning for comments and recommendations.

“Our initial survey, several locations still in need to enhance our network coverage by placing cell site within Cebu City,” Costes said. — /JMO (FREEMAN)