PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), partnered with the Hospitality Alliance Group of Subic Bay Freeport to conduct a digital skills training session for local entrepreneurs in Subic, Zambales.
This initiative forms part of PLDT Enterprise's ongoing efforts to extend its practical digital enablement programs to communities outside Metro Manila, working with local business groups and tourism stakeholders to reach entrepreneurs in emerging economic zones such as Subic Bay Freeport.
The initiative also drew from the PLDT Group’s #KonektedforLivelihoods program, which builds the digital capabilities of Filipino MSMEs, helping them establish a stronger online presence, reach more customers, adopt practical digital tools, and stay secure as they grow their businesses in the digital economy.
The session equipped participants with practical knowledge to help them grow and protect their businesses in an increasingly connected marketplace. Local entrepreneurs learned the basics of Reels and short-form content marketing to grow their online reach, explored how AI tools can support day-to-day digital marketing tasks, and built their cybersecurity awareness through the #BeCyberSmart module.
John Eric Alviz, VP and Head of SME Growth Marketing, Digital and Trade at PLDT, said that partnerships like this one with the Hospitality Alliance Group allow the PLDT Group to bring relevant digital support and business enablement closer to the entrepreneurs who need it most.
“Our goal is to walk alongside MSMEs as they navigate their digital journey, whether that means improving their connectivity, strengthening their digital capabilities, or helping them build the confidence to protect their business online,” he said.
“At the heart of #KonektedforLivelihoods is the belief that technology should translate into real opportunities for communities. By bringing practical digital learning closer to MSMEs, we help make innovation more accessible to the entrepreneurs who power local economies,” added Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart.
This initiative underscores PLDT and Smart’s broader commitment to nation-building by helping connect Filipino businesses to the technology, skills, and knowledge they need to participate more meaningfully in the digital economy.
