GLOBE Telecom on Sunday expressed support for the ongoing review of the National Building Code, which sets the minimum standards for the location, design, construction, use and maintenance of all public and private buildings to guarantee public safety, health and structural integrity.
“We are optimistic that connectivity will be considered as a standard utility in how buildings are designed and constructed,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said. “This will help the telco industry maximize investments for expansion and increasing capacity, instead of paying lease or redoing building structures just to incorporate in-building solutions.”
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon had ordered a comprehensive review of the National Building Code of the Philippines to better reflect current construction practices, urban development, and emerging needs, including modern safety standards and climate risks.
Special Order 155, issued April 7, reconstituted the National Building Code Review Committee (NBCRC) to address long-standing gaps in engineering standards, and review with professional inputs and updated regulations.
The 1977 Code was last revised in 2005, when digital connectivity was not yet integral to everyday life, Globe said.
Incorporating connectivity into building standards would help ensure that residential, commercial and public infrastructure are equipped to support reliable and high-quality internet access, Globe pointed out.
“Modernizing the code is an important step toward future-ready infrastructure. Integrating connectivity considerations into building design will help accelerate network rollout, improve service quality, and support the country’s broader digital ambitions,” Globe senior vice president for service planning and engineering Joel Agustin said.