Addressing the need to drive digital inclusion among Filipinos, especially women, PLDT and wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. successfully concluded the pilot run of their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program for livelihood with 13 women graduates.

In collaboration with FH Moms, Life Haven, ATRIEV, and other partners, these women went through several weeks of training to digitally upskill themselves and find remote tech jobs that can enable them to work from anywhere while caring for their family members who are in need of assistance or with disabilities. To make sure these women have the device to do their remote jobs, PLDT and Smart turned over desktop computers that they can use.

Since 2017, PLDT and Smart have been promoting digital inclusion of underserved communities, through the upskilling of senior citizens, farmers and fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. Through IDEATe, PLDT and Smart aim to contribute to the achievement of UNSDG #1: No Poverty, #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and #10: Reduced Inequalities by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. [END]