THE Fourteenth Sangguniang Panlungsod, led by Vice Mayor Jose Antonio “Toto” S. Veloso, is one with the affected residents of Manga expressing fears about the eventual construction of a Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTI) or cell siite to be situated at Saco St., Purok 3, Brgy. Manga, Tagbilaran City.
Most of their fears stem from the possible health problems and health hazards that they may acquire by living near a cell site.
Atty. Agustinus “Dodong” Gonzaga voiced out that these cell sites should be strategically located, and should not be near places where there are many people. However, these are mere sentiments since the Revised Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2021 of ARTA-DICT-DILG-DHSUD-DPWH-DOH-FDA streamlined the procedures in the construction of cell sites.
As the country is in need of faster internet connections, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Barangay Resolutions have been removed from the pre-requisites in acquiring a building permit for the construction of a Cell Site. A homeowners association consent is required but only for those who have been registered with the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development. The homeowners in the said area of Purok 3, Brgy. Manga do not belong to such registered homeowners association.
However, it is important to note that findings by the Department of Health (DOH), and even the World Health Organization, emphasized that cell sites are harmless to nearby residents since the radiofrequency radiations it emits are hovering only way above ground, and will not affect persons living beneath it, as antennas are installed high above these Cell Site towers, which ensure the most minimal exposure at the ground level.
After delving on the merits of the issue, the Committee on Information and Communications Technology of the Fourteenth Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Hon. Nerio Zamora II encouraged telecommunications companies, like Globe, Smart and Dito, to share PTTIs or cell sites, and to conduct regular social preparations, meetings and interactions with the residents near these sites, in order to properly inform the people that these structures are harmless, and will not pose any health hazards and problems to the community. A representative from DOH must be there to share their findings and assure the people that they are safe even if living beside a cell site.
It was revealed that the cell site in Manga will not be constructed any time soon, since the building permit has not been issued yet, as of this writing. (PR)
