PLDT and its wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), bring digital innovations to boost livelihood opportunities of persons with disabilities residing in the town of San Mateo in the province of Rizal. PLDT and Smart, in partnership with ATRIEV, NORFIL Foundation, Voice Philippines, and the municipality of San Mateo through the Persons with Disability Affairs Office conducted free Digital Business Basics Training, benefitting 25 participants who are either persons with disability or carers of persons with disability.

“PLDT and Smart understand the challenges faced by persons with disability and their families in securing stable sources of income. Through our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program, we train them on digital innovations to help them start their own business, or expand existing ones,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

Tucked under the PLDT Group’s IDEATE program, the eight-day course featured modules on Tech for Business and Business Startup to help entrepreneurs improve earnings by sharing practical tips on starting and running a business, and tapping digital innovations to market their products and fulfill deliveries. Developmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like NORFIL Foundation and Voice Philippines also provided additional resources for the success of the project.

Sunshine Ortigosa, a 40-year-old food seller who takes care of her 17-year-old son with autism, signed up for the training because she wants to explore how social media can help her business. “We have to acknowledge how social media has become an integral part of our lives. These platforms offer a vast opportunity to reach out to potential customers,” Ortigosa said.

Merlita Angeles, a 36-year-old mother, makes crochet clothes and other items while taking care of her son who is diagnosed with global developmental delay. “I learned how to compute for the cost of producing my products and identifying the right price that will ensure sustainability and will allow the expansion of my business,” she said.

It’s not only families of persons with disability who benefit from the program. The local government of San Mateo also recognizes the contribution of local entrepreneurs to the town’s economy.

“The project is aligned with the municipality’s thrust to promote entrepreneurship among our citizens to help them recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more people getting into business, including persons with disability, this also boosts municipal revenues from the licenses and permits that they apply for,” said municipal Mayor Bartolome Rivera Jr.

These initiatives underscore PLDT and Smart’s efforts to help the country achieve UNSDG 1 on eradicating extreme poverty and UNSDG 10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. It also helps underscore the PLDT Group's commitment to innovation and digital inclusion, and to assist in the government's key digitalization efforts.