A LAWMAKER who is a member of the so-called ‘Balik saTamang Serbisyo’ bloc has sought a congressional pobe on the mounting complaints against DITO Telecommunity Corp.
Former Deputy Speaker and Laguna 1st Dist. Rep. Dan Fernandez said Congress could not turn a blind eye anymore to the endless accusations and charges of alleged transgressions of the law including violation of rights of some homeowners’ association ever since DITO was given by the government a permit to operate as the country’s third telco player.
“Mula sa hindi pa masagot na isyu na may banta sa ating national security itong network rollout nila, paglabag sa ilang mandato ng
local government units (LGUs) at barangay at reklamo ng iba’t ibang komunidad, masasabi nating seryoso at dapat lang masiyasat ng Kongreso ang mga reklamong ito laban sa DITO telco,” Fernandez said explicitly.
“As soon as possible, I will file a resolution to formally ask the House leadership to direct the appropriate committee, which is most
likely the committee on information and communications technology, to immediately conduct an investigation,” added the Laguna lawmaker.
Fernandez said that in its frantic desire to meet its target of 1,600 cell towers before its March 8 commercial rollout, the company has rushed its construction activities and disregarded the law just to meet the deadline set by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
“Sa Bayanihan Law 2, particularly under Sec, 6.8.2 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IIR), dalawa na nga lang ang requirements, na
dapat mayroong building permit in accordance to the National Building Code at height clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP) para sa construction, installation, operation, etc. ng telecom and internet infrastructures. Kaya sana naman itong
DITO Telco huwag maging pasaway, ipakita nila na worth it sila na mabigyan ng Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity at may respeto at sumusunod sila sa ating batas,” said the lawmker.
Fernandez cited as an example the reported issuance by the Office of Building Official ng Bacolod City of the 1st Notice of Violation against DITO for the alleged illegal construction of a cell site in Purok Himaya, Bgy. Alijis, which allegedly violates Section 301 ng Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines.
Earlier, residents of Purok Himaya and Purok Paghigugma in Brgy. Alijis expressed their opposition to DITO’s construction of a cell tower in their area by filing a petition letter before the City Council seeking to stop such alleged illeal activity.
Last December, the Malabon Citu government filed a complaint before the City Prosecutor’s Office against the third telco player for constructing a cell site in Brgy. Tinajeros without the necessary permit.
DITO allegedly disregard the notices earlier issued on three occasions by the Malabon LGU, prompting the city government to file a case instead.
A case for violation of PD 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines was filed against DITO personnel namely Engineers Hue Jidong and Jockey Mediola and six others.
