Gov’t urged to make permanent simplified telco permit rules

MANILA  -Telecommunications giant Globe Telecom and conglomerate Aboitiz Group are urging the government to institutionalize an expiring joint circular that allows a more streamlined process for obtaining permits, licenses and certifications for related infrastructure.

Globe Telecom recently sold telecommunication towers to Aboitiz via a sale and leaseback agreement. During the signing, the companies renewed their call to institutionalize the joint memorandum circular of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) as mandated under Republic Act No. 11032 amending Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

“The [memo], set to expire in September, calls for the adoption of simplified requirements and procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite business and nonbusiness-related transactions in government,” Globe and Aboitiz said in a statement.

The firms made the request through President Marcos’ Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), which is headed by Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz. The Globe Group is a member of the advisory council and is represented by its president and CEO Ernest Cu.

“I have to say that Sabin and I, at the PSAC, are working very hard to ensure that the [memo] of the Arta continues beyond September of this year. We constantly remind the President during every PSAC meeting,” Cu said.