Photo shows PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan (2nd from right) shaking the hand of Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Secretary Ernesto Perez during the MOA signing held between PLDT and ARTA, where the telco group will help ARTA facilitate the establishment of Electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS) across the country, through the provision of computer units and trainings. Witnesses to the signing include (from left) ARTA Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance, Undersecretary Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri, Smart VP and Head of Joint Strategic Operations and the Anti-Red Tape CFT Atty. Pam Felizarta, PLDT Chief Legal Counsel Atty. Marilyn Victorio-Aquino, and ARTA Deputy Director General for Operations, Undersecretary Gerald Divinagracia.
Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are reinforcing the government's push to enable more local government units (LGUs) improve efficiency, reduce red tape, and enhance business environment, by donating hardware to help them set-up their own Electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS).
In partnership with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), PLDT and Smart are providing an initial 100 computer units to boost the nationwide rollout of the eBOSS program, an ARTA-led initiative that seeks to automate the processing of business permits, related clearances, and licenses in all cities and municipalities across the country.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony to mark the partnership was also held at the PLDT headquarters in Makati City, led by ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez and PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Under the MOA, PLDT and Smart will also help in the digital upskilling of local government partners.
"We are glad to have partners in Government like ARTA who believe in nurturing a business environment where bureaucracy can truly serve the people and help entrepreneurs prosper. This reaffirms our commitment to supporting the PBBM administration in whatever way we can, and our dedication to helping the country achieve its goals of inclusive growth and improved ease of doing business through technology,” Pangilinan said.
"This is more than just a partnership—it's a catalyst for meaningful change, a bridge between the public and private sectors, and a testament to our shared belief in the transformative power of technology to improve lives. We extend our deepest gratitude to the PLDT group for placing its trust in ARTA to forge this partnership. Your unwavering support has been invaluable to our mission," Secretary Perez said.
This initiative is also aligned with the PLDT group's endeavors to narrow the digital divide, bring the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. [END]
