With a surge in cases and lockdowns in place, the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm, has reached out to far-flung communities to provide aid, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Reinforcing its commitment to support healthcare workers and communities, the PSF has recently turned over hospital equipment to St. Scholastica’s Hospital, Inc. (SSHI) in Pambujan, Northern Samar. The cardiac monitor will cater to the emergency needs of SSHI patients, most of them belonging to indigent communities.
 
“The PLDT group and the PLDT-Smart Foundation are helping families and communities cope amid the pandemic. We are also utilizing all our resources to provide support to our country’s frontline healthcare workers. We hope that, in our own way, we are able to address the needs of SSHI as they make healthcare accessible to indigent families and communities in Northern Samar,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos.
 
The hospital is able to survive these past three years mainly due to the support of their congregation, through Philhealth payments and through donations from groups and foundations like the PSF. They also sometimes receive individual contributions and donations.
 
“We chose to be in Northern Samar, a province on the top 10 poorest provinces of the country to bring quality and affordable medical services nearer to those who have no access to a hospital," said SSHI Outgoing Treasurer Sister Ana Marie Race, OSB.  "This is our way of continuing the healing ministry of Jesus to our brothers and sisters in the periphery."
“We hope that this is only the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation in responding to the health care needs of our financially disadvantaged people. We are grateful for your support, especially during these difficult times,” Sister Ana said.
 
The foundation’s support to frontline healthcare workers are part of the MVP group’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UN SDG), particularly the UN SDG #3 Good Health and Well-being.