PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm, Smart Communications, are ramping up efforts to support the government’s digitalization drive by collaborating with key agencies to dismantle regulatory barriers and fast-track infrastructure rollout, especially in underserved areas.
The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for enhanced public service delivery through digital transformation, highlighted in his latest State of the Nation Address. In response, PLDT and Smart are deepening cooperation with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to streamline permitting and regulatory processes crucial to nationwide network expansion.
“Collaboration with agencies like ARTA is essential in removing long-standing connectivity barriers,” said PLDT COO Butch G. Jimenez, who also represents the company in the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), where it advocates for key regulatory reforms.
PLDT’s proposals include amending the National Building Code to allow telco infrastructure in government buildings at zero lease cost and standardizing electric cooperative fees, in coordination with the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Philippine Association of Building Officials (PABO).
ARTA undersecretary Gerald C. Divinagracia underscored the public-private synergy, saying such partnerships are pivotal in building digital infrastructure that supports good governance and inclusive growth.
Since 2019, PLDT and Smart have worked with agencies such as DICT, NTC, and DILG to streamline permitting nationwide. Their policy advocacy contributed to the crafting of Executive Order No. 32, which simplifies telco infrastructure permitting processes.
These efforts reflect PLDT’s commitment to enabling broader access to digital services and bridging the digital divide, reinforcing its role in the country’s digital economy and infrastructure development.
