For women and girls with visual impairment, knowing how to stay safe online is essential so they can use digital platforms for learning, work, and daily life. Equipping them with accessible cybersecurity skills strengthens their confidence and independence, and advances a more inclusive and secure digital Philippines.

As part of their #KonektedforInclusion and #KonektedforSaferInternet programs, PLDT and Smart supported a cyber safety workshop for visually impaired women and girls organized by Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), in partnership with the Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office and APNIC Foundation.

"Cybersecurity awareness is an essential life skill in today’s connected world," said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. "By empowering persons with disabilities to #BeCyberSmart, we hope to help build a safer digital Philippines where everyone can participate online with confidence."

As part of the Cyber Safety Workshop for Visually Impaired Women and Girls, participants completed PLDT and Smart's #BeCyberSmart module, where they learned practical ways to recognize phishing attempts, avoid online scams, and protect their data from cyber threats.

The three-day, accessibility-centered training equipped participants with real-world digital safety skills while tackling emerging online risks such as AI-generated content, online harassment, and digital exclusion. Designed specifically for women and girls with visual impairment, the workshop highlighted how accessibility and cybersecurity go hand in hand in creating a safer digital environment for all.

"You don't have to share everything online," said Juzztine Mae Bactad, a graphic artist with visual impairment. "Criminals can use that information to compromise your accounts. Turning on multi-factor authentication is one way to better protect them."

Participants also learned to recognize common warning signs of text scams.

"Be wary of text messages saying you won something or offering you a job," said Ma. Angelica Tores, a voice talent with visual impairment. "It's a red flag when you're asked to pay before claiming a prize. If you're applying for work, make sure the employer is legitimate by checking the company's official website or verified social media pages."

In 2026, PLDT and Smart, together with ATRIEV and APNIC Foundation, have equipped persons with disabilities with practical internet safety knowledge through workshops at the Philippine National School for the Blind and the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center.

The initiative forms part of PLDT and Smart's #KonektedforSaferInternet program, which promotes safer digital experiences by equipping Filipinos with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world more securely. Supporting vulnerable sectors through digital inclusion also advances the group's #KonektedforInclusion initiative.

The awareness campaign complements PLDT and Smart's broader cybersecurity efforts to protect customers from digital threats. In the first six months of the year, the PLDT and Smart Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) blocked more than 209 billion attempts to access malicious domains, including phishing websites. It has also blacklisted more than 193,000 URLs linked to phishing, spam, and online hoaxes.

Meanwhile, Smart prevented almost 1.6 billion scam text messages from reaching customers and blocked more than 373,000 mobile numbers associated with fraudulent activities.

Together, public awareness initiatives and continued investments in cybersecurity infrastructure reflect the PLDT Group's broader effort to strengthen digital safety for Filipinos by delivering safe and meaningful connections so customers can live a fuller life.