Baguio residents oppose DITO telecom operations

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY --The city council summoned representatives of Dito Telecommunity Corp. to explain their plan to install a rooftop cell site in Bakakeng Central Barangay in light of the complaints of some residents therein.
    In their petition letter, residents said they oppose installation of a cell site on top of the house of their neighbor, Jessie Faroden.
    They claimed the presence of a cell site in the neighborhood will be dangerous to their health because of the radiation it will emit.
    John Carlo Sibayan, a representative of Dito Telecom, said proximity to cell towers does not cause adverse health effects.
    To support his claim, Sibayan cited the certificate of safety evaluation issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Dept. of Health for a proposed cell site located in Batac City, Ilocos Norte which has the same equipment that will be used in the proposed sell cite in Bakakeng Central.
    The document stated the public will not be exposed to levels exceeding the limits if one considers the prescribed safe distance.
    A perimeter fence must be constructed to prevent access of the public to the antenna, the document also specified.
    On Sept. 3, the FDA issued a statement assuring the public a safety evaluation is conducted prior to the installation of antennas.
    The city council said they will still seek the assistance of the DOH regarding the matter.
    Sibayan said part of their social responsibility is to conduct information campaigns to assure the community that the installation of a cell site is not a threat to public health.
    Sibayan also assured the residents that the cell tower’s structure and design are subject to the inspection and approval of city engineers and architects.
    A public consultation was conducted in Bakakeng Central Barangay on September 17, Sibayan said.
    However, Chinami Abecin, one of the petitioners, claimed they were not invited.
    The city council then advised Dito Telecom to conduct a wider and more inclusive consultation with the constituents.
    Dito Telecom was granted barangay clearance for the installation and operation of telecommunication facilities in 22 barangays including Bakakeng Central.
    The ideal number of sites for the entire Baguio City is more than 50, Sibayan said.
    Dito Telecom is currently working it out with the Local Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals (LZBAA) of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) for their zoning clearance before they can apply for a building permit.
    Dito Telecom is the third telco player allowed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to operate in the country challenging the duopoly of PLDT and Globe Telecom. It promises to bring in 5G to the country, an upgrade from the current 4G network provided by Smart Communications and Globe Telecom.
    Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan told Dito Telecom representatives to get in touch with the city government and lay out their plans first before proceeding with the project.
    “The officialsof the City Government of Baguio have the right to know about these projects to be implemented in the city. We should be informed so that we can be of help in any way we can. Transparency is very important,” Olowan said.
    According to several council members, Dito Telecom’s project commencement was a matter of concern as the city government has recently entered into a memorandum of agreement with the National Transmission Corp. for the implementation of Project Lightning which will provide gigabit-speed broadband services through power lines.
    The city government has also inked a MOA with the Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the rollout of free public WIFI in partnership with three private companies.
    The council referred the matter to the committee on public utilities, transportation, and traffic legislation chaired by Councilor Benny Bomogao for study.
    In an interview, architect Donna Tabangin, CPDO chief, echoed the sentiments of the city council.
    Tabangin said social acceptability was an essential component in the process.
    She said all telecommunications companies should comply with all requirements of the local government unit.
    The CPDO chief said telcos cannot bypass nor railroad the local zoning board when choosing a location for the installation of their facilities.
    A meeting with all telcos operating in the city is set on December 4 to remind them about matters concerning the procedures set forth by the city government.