Persons with disabilities in San Miguel, Bulacan reap the benefits of PLDT and Smart’s digital training, expanding their livelihood opportunities.

PLDT and Smart, together with ATRIEV and supported by NORFIL Foundation, and Voice Philippines, in collaboration with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of the municipality of San Miguel, Bulacan upskilled local entrepreneurs who have disabilities or those who care for persons with disabilities, in what is seen to foster economic self-sufficiency.

“PLDT and Smart leverage on technology to empower persons with disabilities to participate in their communities’ economic activities. Digital innovations like social media, online marketplaces and digital wallets provide convenient platforms to facilitate business transactions,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

According to the Philippine National Council on Disability Affairs, there are about 1.9 million registered persons with disabilities in the Philippines, as of June 2024.

The eight-day Digital Business Basics Training course helped participants start their own businesses or scale up existing enterprises. It included sessions on basic social media marketing, capital sourcing, product pricing and costing, branding and identifying target market, content creation and financial literacy. To help participants explore digital payment solutions, the module also introduced them to Maya, the Philippines’ top digital bank and omni-channel payments processor.

“I learned about essential applications that I can use to expand my business on the internet. I have always wanted to venture into online selling because I can’t leave the house as I am the primary caregiver of my two children who have disabilities,” said Ma. Cristina Masilang.

“Through the program, I learned to develop my own business plan which will help me grow my business. I also learned how to compute for the cost of my items to make sure that I have sufficiently covered all expenses and that I am bringing in profits,” added Karina Bunalade, a single mom with physical disability.

Since 2017, PLDT and Smart have been promoting digital inclusion of underserved communities, through the upskilling of senior citizens, farmers and fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, persons deprived of liberty and persons with disabilities. Through IDEATe, PLDT and Smart aim to help the Philippines attain UNSDG 1 on No Poverty, SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth and UNSDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.