Infrastructure project makes wider connectivity, greater countrywide access to digital services
Responding to the Philippine government’s call for wider connectivity and greater access to digital services, a Php50 billion telecommunications infrastructure project aimed at providing faster internet connection nationwide, is set to make it happen for Filipinos especially those in remote areas.
A joint venture between Macquarie Capital, one of the leading mergers and acquisitions and public-private partnership advisors in the Philippines, and Phil-Tower Consortium, Inc., one of the fastest-growing independent tower companies in the country, the project involves the construction and operations of shared telecommunications infrastructure facilities that will provide coverage and internet connectivity to Filipinos in remote, unserved, and underserved areas in the country.
Phil-Tower, as an enabler of 4G and 5G coverage for smart cities, will provide innovative outdoor solutions through camouflage sites, micro poles, green towers, and smart poles as a regional pioneer of in-building solutions. Phil-Tower has rolled out more than 200 telecommunication towers as of 2022 and is eyeing to construct more in the following months.
The officials of the joint venture recently visited the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) to discuss the project and request the agency’s provision of investment facilitation services to hasten the implementation of the project.
BOI Investments Assistance Service Director Ernesto C. Delos Reyes, Jr. (sixth from left) with Macquarie Capital Head of Infrastructure and Energy Capital Ivan Varughese (fourth from left), Macquarie Capital Managing Director Justin Ocampo, Phil-Tower Consortium, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Devid Gubiani (seventh from left). Joining them are (from left to right) BOI Specialist Juana Cordoba Castañeda, BOI Division Head Lorna Yumul, BOI Division Head Lubin De Vera, Jr., Phil-Tower Director External Affairs Kalvin Parpan, Phil-Tower Deputy Head – External Affairs Azenith Guison, and Phil-Tower Business Development Manager Nicole Ang.
BOI Director for Investments Assistance Service Ernesto Delos Reyes, Jr. assured them of the agency’s support by assisting them in processing their business permits and licenses and facilitating investment-related concerns.
The agency’s support services for investors are part of the BOI’s reinforced commitment to support investors through its Strategic Investments Aftercare Program. As part of this initiative, the BOI has pushed for the recent signing of Executive Order No. 18, “Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments.” The order designates the BOI as the single point of entry for the endorsement of strategic investments qualified for green lane services. The move aligns with the government’s effort to create a more business-friendly environment and provide ease of doing business to attract more strategic investments to the country. “Through these efforts, the BOI ensures the success of investments in the Philippines,” Director Delos Reyes said.
For their part, Phil-Tower CEO Devid Gubiani and PhilTower executives expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the approval of the order, stating that it will undoubtedly help them carry out their time-bound business plans in the country.