Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has further solidified its commitment to help drive the government’s digital transformation initiatives through the sale and leaseback of its towers in support of the government's common tower policy.

"Supporting the government's common tower policy and holistic digitalization agenda, we signed landmark deals in 2022 and early 2023 for the sale and leaseback of over 7,500 of our towers for more than P98 billion," said PLDT President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio at the recent PLDT Annual Stockholders Meeting.

"2022 ushered in a reinforced call for nationwide digitalization. We at the PLDT Group join the government in transforming the Philippine economy into a digital economy," Panlilio added.

Panlilio likewise noted that the deals are important milestones in PLDT's asset-light strategy, and also enable PLDT to focus on operational efficiencies in order to deliver best in class customer experience, while helping bring down cost to serve.

In addition to these, Panlilio also cited PLDT's investments in its data centers and international cable systems, in order to strengthen the country's position as a promising hub for hyperscale investments in the Asia Pacific Region.

"All these are aligned with our commitment as one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure group of the Government's Private Sector Advisory Council, formed in July 2022," Panlilio said.

These initiatives contribute to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to provide connectivity to all, and to anchor initiatives on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.