Globe Telecom has reported significant improvements in its permits processing, registering a 20 percent increase in the speed and efficiency of approvals from 2022 to mid-2024. This progress follows the implementation of Executive Order No. 32 (EO 32), which is central to the company’s expanding 5G and fiber infrastructure to meet the growing demand for affordable, reliable connectivity across the Philippines.
From 2021 to mid-2024, Globe has constructed over 4,000 cell towers and deployed more than 3 million fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines. Globe vice president and head of strategic partnerships, Michelle Ora, credited EO 32 with streamlining the permitting process, acknowledging the government’s efforts to accelerate the issuance of necessary permits. “We are grateful for the government’s support, particularly through EO 32, which has helped us expand our infrastructure,” Ora said.
However, challenges persist in some local government units (LGUs), where inconsistent implementation of the EO and varying local ordinances have hindered the pace of tower construction. Globe called for more LGUs to adopt uniform processes to fully leverage EO 32 and reduce delays and additional costs due to excessive fees and varied requirements.
At the 2024 Ease of Doing Business Convention, Globe highlighted the positive examples of cities like Antipolo, Bacoor, Calamba, and Metro Manila’s Marikina and Navotas, which have simplified permitting through a one-stop-shop (OSS) system. The company stressed the importance of eliminating bottlenecks such as the failure to implement the electronic business one-stop shop (eBOSS), and the need for uniform standards to ease the burden on telecom infrastructure growth.
Globe also emphasized the importance of further workshops and engagements with LGUs and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to increase understanding of EO 32 and its role in advancing telecom development. By collaborating with government agencies like the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Globe aims to ensure that more Filipinos can access high-quality telecommunications services, fulfilling President Marcos’ vision for a digitally connected nation.
“We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to overcome these challenges and support the continued growth of telecom infrastructure for a more connected Philippines,” Ora said.
