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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD
BACOLOD CI1Y
HON. AL VICTOR A. ESPINO
COUNCILOR
AL ESP I NO Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means
Chairman, Committee on Social Defense, Peace and Order
Chairman, Committee on Information and Communication Technology_

INDORSEMENT
June 23, 2021

Respectfully indorsed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City, through Atty.

Vicente Petierre 111, Secretary to the Sanggunian, the herein Committee Report, RE: "REQUEST
FOR AN SP RESOLUTION INTERPOSING NO OBJECTION FOR DOMESTIC FIBER OPTIC NETWORK
(DFON) PROJECT IN BARANGAY BANAGO, BACOLOD CITY", docketed as Correspondence No.
10-21-0234, for its inclusion in the Agenda of the next SP Regular Session, and for appropriate
action.

~~
HON. AL A.(ESPINO
Sangguniang Panlungsod Member
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD
BACOLOD CITY
HON. AL VICTOR A. ESPINO
COUNCILOR
AL ESPINO Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means
Chairman, Committee on Social Defense, Peace and Order
Chairman, Committee on Information and Communication Technology

COMMITIEE REPORT

"REQUEST FOR AN SP RESOLUTION INTERPOSING NO OBJECTION FOR INSTALLATION

AND CONSTRUCT/ON OF PLOT DOMESTIC SUBMARINE CABLE PROJECT IN BARANGA Y
BANAGO, BACOLOD CITY"

June 1, 2021, Tuesday, 01:30 PM

SP Session Hall

The Committee on Information and Communication Technology chaired by Hon. AL Victor

Espino called for a Committee Conference to inquire on the application submitted by BEN
LINE AGENCIES, which is authorized by PLDT to process the permitting requirements for
the installation and construction of PLDT Domestic Submarine Cable to be situated at
Barangay Banago, Bacolod City.

The applicant, BEN LINE AGENCIES., was represented by Mr. Carlos Joshua Roce, who was
physically present at the time of the Committee Conference. Also, the Company is
represented by Rachel lnoncencio, Aldwin Camance, Ken Cadag, Terence Uytingban,
Hershey Tangag, Krish Kenneth, Reymark Limsic, Alexandria Anonical and Judjie Ann
Seluado, who were all present via Zoom during the conference. After calling all their
respective names, and positions, the Chairman asked them about their application, they
noted that this SP resolution is needed for the issuance of their Mayor's Permit. They also
noted that a RONO is required before the Office of the Building Official.

Consequently, the applicant's showed a presentation regarding the project they are
implementing in Barangay Banago. A powerpoint presentation was made showing the
details of project, to wit:
1. The project is called PLDT DFON PROJECT 2, and will be connected from Banate,
llo-ilo Province and Banago (Old Port), Bacolod City;
2. PLOT will install a Submarine Cable System called New Domestic Fiber Optic
Network (DFON) linking the Philippine islands of Mindoro, BUsuanga, Panay,
Negros, Cebu, Bantayan, Camotes, Leyte, Dinagat, Siargao, Bucas Grande and
 Mindanao. The project area is named as Area 2 of the whole New DFON cable
system . The cable routes in Area 2 comprise 13 segments connecting different
islands with a total length round 700 kilometers. Ben Lines has been appointed
to be in charge of all permitting processes of the said project while Fiberhome
shall supply and install the fiber-optic cable system;
3. The Cable line is 1.24 inches in diameter and will be buried 2 meters deep until
the BMH or the beach man hole;
4. The exact location of the new area is 200 meters north of the old area along
Felix Amante Avenue and will be on Public Land in the old fishport area;
5. The Beach Manhole will be located in the publicly owned area of the old
fishport, in a space where it will not impede any activities. Requirements will
only be 5 square meters. BMH will be covered and can be used as parking or
walkway;
6. The line will not pass any coral or seagrass or mangrove areas;
7. The line will also go around the anchorage area of the Banago piers;

The application also explained the process of laying of Submarine cables, and presents
several illustration that would depict the installation. They explained that the Submarine
cable laying process starts from the Landing Station, where a long cable section is
connected to the landing-point and then extended out to a few kilometers in the sea. This
end is connected to the cable on the ship and then the ship starts its cable laying process.
Cables are buried in the seabed in shallow waters in order to minimize the risks for
damages. The trenches in which the cables are placed are dug by a submarine plough and
covered by sediment or rocks.

After their presentation, Councilor Espino also asked if they were also able to comply with
the documentary requirements imposed by other offices or agencies, barangays, and they
replied in positive. They said that this is the last requirement they needed for them to
process their Mayor's Permit.

As the City of Bacolod is still experiencing the effects of the pandemic, Councilor Espino
reminded them that they should comply with the health protocols implemented not only
by the City's IATF, but also of the National IATF. Also, the applicants said that they pay
the applicable fees, charges and taxes due to them .

There being no matters to discuss in the hearing. Councilor Espino dismisses the same.

RECOMMENDATION/SUGGESTIONS
Follow the health protocols imposed by the City's IATF and the National IATF;
Comply all the necessary documentary requirements required by different
government offices and agencies; and
To issue a Resolution Interposing No Objection to PAGCOR- accredited
electronic games.

PROPONENT

H;;::~:P:O
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Sangguniang Panlungsod Member

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