4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has urged Telcos (telecommunication companies) to build additional cell towers and signal relay stations in the rural areas which he said sorely lack access to high-speed internet connectivity and are literally being left behind in terms of real development.
Libanan made his appeal in separate letters he sent to PLDT Inc. president Alfredo Panlilio, Globe Telecom Inc. president Ernest Cu, and DITO Telecommunity Corp. president Ernesto Alberto.
The party-list lawmaker said the current density of cell towers and/or signal relay stations in the rural areas makes it hard for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access the internet.
“It is strongly requested that your good company immediately establish, commission and activate more cell towers in the countryside to afford our MSMEs adequate and stable access to the internet,” Libanan said in his letter, a copy of which was furnished to National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief, Gamaliel Cordoba. .
Cell towers, or cell sites, host electronic communications equipment and antennae that allow people in surrounding areas to access the internet using their wireless communication devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and computers.
Libanan said a key program of their Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps) party-list seeks “to support and assist the country’s MSMEs by providing them the necessary tools, technologies, skills and competencies.”
“We believe that ample access to information through stable communication facilities and services is an essential ingredient to the development of our MSMEs not only in the urban centers, but equally in the countryside,” the lawmaker stressed.
Libanan pointed out that high-value information on livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurial skills development, business linkages and matchings, financing programs, innovative technologies and related resources are now accessible via the internet.
He sought the NTC chief’s help “with a request that representations and monitoring be made by your good office with the concerned telecommunications service providers of their action taken on this matter.”