PH Tower Companies Unite Behind DICT Secretary Aguda to Accelerate National Digital Inclusion

DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda (fourth from left) and DICT Usec for Special Concerns Christina Faye Condez-De Sagon welcome the CEOs and representatives of the Philippines’ Independent Tower Companies (TOWERCOs) during the group’s courtesy call recently. Present were (from left): Kalvin Parpan, Spokesperson for TOWERCOs and PhilTower MIDC Chief Government and External Affairs Officer; Unity Digital Infrastructure Chief Executive Officer, Robin Patrick Sarmiento; EDOTCO Towers Country Managing Director, Suraj Narayanan Kutty; Frontier Tower Associates Philippines Chief Commercial Officer, HendrikJan Kroon; EdgePoint Towers Chief Executive Officer, William Walters; and PhilTower MIDC Chief Executive Officer, Devid H. Gubiani.

MANILA, Philippines – In a show of unified industry support, the country’s Independent Tower Companies (TOWERCOs) lauds the appointment of Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda as the new chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), a move hailed as critical in addressing the Philippines’ digital divide.

The TOWERCO sector sees Secretary Aguda’s appointment as both timely and strategic. His extensive leadership experience in digital banking, enterprise technology, and the Digital Infrastructure Sector of the Private Sector Advisory Council will be a catalyst for deeper collaboration between government and private stakeholders to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure and to bridge connectivity gaps.

“Secretary Aguda brings more than experience, he brings a vision rooted in inclusion, innovation, and action,” said Kalvin Parpan, spokesperson for the TOWERCOs. “We see in him the kind of leadership that doesn’t just build infrastructure but builds bridges for every Filipino to thrive in a digital economy.”

For the past five years, TOWERCOs, including EdgePoint Infrastructure, EDOTCO Towers, Frontier Towers Associates Philippines, PhilTower MIDC, and Unity Digital Infrastructure, have led efforts in building shared telecommunications towers with investment value of over PhP 200 billion and a projected boost of PhP 30 billion over the next three years, enabling mobile network operators (MNOs) to expand reach into previously unserved and underserved areas.

Through sale-and-leaseback agreements with MNOs, these tower companies have made thousands of towers available for shared use, creating a more cost-efficient and inclusive network expansion model. These efforts directly support the government’s goal of universal access to affordable, high-quality connectivity.

Looking ahead, the TOWERCO sector pledges full cooperation with Secretary Aguda and the DICT in accelerating digital transformation in the Philippines. This includes not only infrastructure rollout but also the formulation of streamlined policies and regulatory reforms that will benefit both urban centers and geographically isolated communities.

“A strong connection begins with trust,” Parpan noted. “We support a DICT leadership that embraces both innovation and integrity because digital inclusion is not just about coverage, it’s about confidence in the system.”

The TOWERCOs also echo President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for integrity and transparency in public service. They emphasized the need for strong governance in digital program implementation, especially when dealing with nationwide systems that affect education, livelihoods, and emergency services.

For further queries, please contact:

Mr. Kalvin Laurence Antonio B. Parpan

Mobile Number: +639565124541