A partylist representative appealed for the rollout of additional cell towers and signal relay stations, stressing that the countryside is already left behind in access to high-speed internet connectivity needed for economic productivity.

Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan of the 4Ps Partylist wrote an appeal letter to PLDT Inc. president Alfredo Panlilio, Globe Telecom Inc. president Ernest Cu, and DITO Telecommunity Corp. president Ernesto Alberto.

"The current density of cell towers and/or signal relay stations in the rural areas makes it hard for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access the internet," Libanan told the chief executive officers of the country's three major telecommunications companies.

"It is strongly requested that your good company immediately establish, commission, and activate more cell towers in the countryside to afford our MSMEs adequate and stable access to the internet," Libanan said in his letter.

Gamaliel Cordoba, chief of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), also copy furnished Libanan's letter.

Libanan said one of his partylist's programs supports SMEs, or small businesses, with opportunities accessible online.

"We believe that ample access to information through stable communication facilities and services is an essential ingredient to the development of our MSMEs not only in the urban centers, but equally in the countryside," Libanan said.