GLOBE Telecom, Inc. has obtained the go-signal from the Light Rail Transit Administration (LRTA) to build cell sites along the stretch of LRT-2’s line from Santolan Station in Quezon City to Recto Station in Manila.
In a statement, Globe said it would erect the cell sites while Metro Manila is under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
LRTA Administrator Reynaldo I. Berroya was quoted as saying: “This is the perfect opportunity for Globe to improve its services along our route. The ECQ has prevented us from operating, but as they say when a door gets shut, a window opens. Globe can build and expand its capacity while the trains are not allowed to transport passengers.”
“We expect that when the ECQ is lifted and thousands of passengers go back to riding our trains, they will find comfort that they will have good and reliable service while they travel,” he added.
For his part, Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest L. Cu said: “The pandemic has impacted our lives in so many ways. While it has resulted in many challenges, we would like to dwell more on the opportunities for us to improve our services. With LRTA’s support and trust, we are doing our best to give our commuting public a better experience when they return and ride the Megatren once again.”
Undersecretary Eliseo M. Rio, Jr. had said only about 400 cell sites were erected in the first quarter of the year, well below the government’s target of building 1,785 each quarter to meet the broader goal of 50,000 cell sites nationwide in seven years. — Arjay L. Balinbin
