MANILA — Telecommunications giant Globe Telecom Inc. is pushing for government incentives and a unified national framework to help operators fund climate-resilient infrastructure and streamline emergency repairs.
The Ayala-led telecommunications provider has proposed the creation of a National Utility Resiliency Plan, aimed at easing the heavy financial burdens associated with fortifying networks against extreme weather.
According to the company, building higher structural standards, implementing backup systems, and expanding redundancy require massive investments that need supportive public policies to remain sustainable.
In addition to financial incentives, Globe is urging authorities to classify telecom service restoration as a national priority during calamities, placing it on equal footing with power, water, and other essential lifelines.
“When disaster strikes, connectivity becomes a lifeline. People need it to reach their families, receive emergency information, call for help, and coordinate relief efforts,” said Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo.
“Restoring telecommunications should therefore happen alongside power and other essential utilities, supported by a national framework that allows government and industry to move quickly and work together,” Castelo added.
The proposed framework outlines key measures to expedite recovery efforts, such as temporarily streamlining local permit requirements for emergency repairs and granting repair crews priority access to public transportation and logistics. It also suggests deploying military and police personnel to secure and clear pathways for technical teams reaching critical facilities.
Castelo stressed that these protocols would directly tackle logistical bottlenecks during crises.
”If power is unavailable, roads are impassable, or our teams cannot reach affected facilities, restoration becomes more difficult. A national plan can help remove these bottlenecks when every hour of connectivity matters,” he said.
To demonstrate its commitment to network stability, Globe reported allocating ₱26.3 billion in capital expenditures during the first half of the year, with roughly 91% dedicated entirely to network enhancements.