Solon wants housing developers to allocate area for ICT infrastructure
A measure to require housing developers to allocate a designated area for information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in their projects has been filed in the House of Representatives.
House Bill No. 4472 or the Housing Development Digital Connectivity bill was filed by Isabela Rep. Inno Dy.
The bill mandates the allocation of a designated “open space” for the establishment of ICT infrastructure and other amenities in existing and future housing projects, subdivisions, villages, or other residential real property, including socialized or economic housing.
“The pandemic has highlighted just how crucial digital connectivity is to our lives. We must be equipped to tackle the challenges under the new normal, and this includes ensuring greater access to the internet, which we hope this measure will address,” Dy said.
The lawmaker noted that the measure could complement other government initiatives to fast-track the roll-out of much-needed infrastructure aimed at improving internet speed and mobile connectivity in the country.
HB No. 4472 seeks to amend Presidential Decree 957 to include ICT infrastructure in the list of facilities that should be put up in open spaces of housing projects.
Under the law, a housing project that are at least one hectare must reserve at least 30 percent of its gross area for open space.
A portion of this space should be allocated exclusively for parks, playgrounds, or recreational use, with the following standards: 9 percent of gross area for high-density or social housing (66 to 100 family lots per gross hectare; 7 percent of gross area for medium-density or economic housing (21 to 65 family lots per gross hectare); and 3.5 percent of gross area for low-density or open market housing (20 family lots and below per gross hectare).
The bill also allows developers to provide another area for ICT infrastructure and facilities from the net saleable lots outside the mandatory open space to maintain the area reserved for parks, playgrounds and recreational use.
The measure also mandates that the Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTI) to be built in future and existing subdivisions shall be non-exclusive and shall be accessible for shared use by ICT providers.
The bill also provides ICT providers a remedy in case of denial of consent by Homeowners Associations in existing subdivisions; the creation of a rationalized locational plan; and the conduct of information campaigns.
Dy expressed hope that the bill, which was passed during the past Congress, will hurdle the 19th Congress.
