PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have praised a recent effort to speed up the electrification and installation of telecommunications facilities in rural areas. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) issued Memorandum Order No. 2024-18, which outlines guidelines to simplify the process of powering up telecommunications towers in areas served by electric cooperatives, reducing the processing time to just 30 days.
This initiative accelerates infrastructure deployment, improves connectivity, supports digitalization efforts, fosters economic development, enhances quality of life, and reflects effective government-industry collaboration.
PLDT and Smart are pleased to have collaborated with NEA, the Anti-Red Tape Authority, other mobile network operators, independent tower companies, and various government and private sector stakeholders to develop these guidelines.
Empowering Growth and Connecting All
The collaboration between PLDT, Smart, NEA, the Anti-Red Tape Authority, other mobile network operators, independent tower companies, and various government and private sector stakeholders aims to accelerate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.
This collaboration streamlines processes, ensures efficiency and standardization, optimizes resource allocation, enhances connectivity, supports digitalization efforts, stimulates innovation and competition, improves resilience and disaster preparedness, and has a positive economic impact. Overall, it facilitates faster implementation of projects, better connectivity, and economic growth.
Atty. Pamela B. Felizarta, Head of Joint Strategic Operations at Smart, emphasized the importance of this partnership in bridging the digital divide and making internet access more accessible to Filipinos. In the past, PLDT has backed ARTA's telco workshops, which aimed to tackle hurdles in the permitting process and improve connectivity in remote regions.
Digitizing Operations
Additionally, PLDT was involved in creating the implementing rules of Executive Order No. 32 (s. 2023) signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in July 2023, which simplified the permitting process for telecommunications and internet infrastructure projects in the country.
Furthermore, PLDT has demonstrated support for the government's initiative to help local government units digitize and streamline their operations through the eLGU program. These initiatives highlight the PLDT group's dedication to helping the country achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
