Daang Bakal barangay chair Richard Bassig (3rd from left) with Smart representatives Anthony Dimalig (Customer Service Zone Supervisor), Rex Dalisay (Head of BICS GMM Southwest), and Mark Dacuan (Manager of PMO).
PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. are advancing improvements in Mandaluyong City by working more closely with local government units to boost connectivity at the barangay level.
In barangays Mauway, Pleasant Hills and Daang Bakal in Mandaluyong, for instance, PLDT and Smart are in close coordination with barangay leaders to deploy fiber connectivity and fiber-powered WiFi via Smart Barangay Connect in their area, including their barangay halls and multipurpose halls.
PLDT is also working with Brgy Mauway in providing connectivity for use of teachers for online learning and is set to migrate existing PLDT customers in the area to fiber in both barangays.
"Working more closely with our government and community partners helps ensure that we are able to roll out our network faster and more efficiently, to serve more Filipinos across the country and provide them with the best data experience," said Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart.
"With Smart Barangay Connect, we are bringing connectivity closer to the communities that need them. Wifi is the least common denominator for all smartphones. By providing Barangay Connect Wifi, we are making it simple for everyone in the community with even the lowest spec smartphone to be connected to the world wide web even without a SIM. This is part of Smart's Live Smarter for a Better World campaign, which highlights community partnerships and enables Filipinos to effect lasting change through exploring their passions and pursuing their dreams," said Lloyd R. Manaloto, Smart FVP for Corporate Marketing and Strategy. "Together, we are partners for a better tomorrow."
"We thank PLDT and Smart for their help in providing connectivity for our barangay's multipurpose halls and the barangay hall. Quality connectivity will help us serve our residents better, especially in the New Normal, and hopefully take our barangay to the next level," said Bernie Evangelista, barangay captain of Brgy. Mauway.
Brgy Pleasant Hills barangay captain Isagani Evangelista, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of connectivity, particularly to students of their informal settler community. "Fast and reliable Smart WiFi in our multipurpose hall will be useful for our youth, who can use this connectivity for their online classes, so they can keep learning online despite the pandemic's challenges," he said.
Meanwhile, improved connectivity will help Brgy Daang Bakal enhance its capabilities to deliver barangay services to residents. "Connectivity is crucial now more than ever, especially amid this pandemic, when we have to be accessible to our constituents. With Smart WiFi, we will be able to respond to emergencies and other citizen concerns more efficiently," said barangay captain Richard Bassig.
These efforts are aligned with Smart's thrust in its "Live Smarter for a Better World" campaign, which highlights Smart's long-running community partnership programs, enabling "personal revolutions" that generate lasting positive impact to society through connectivity and CSR initiatives.
Smart's Barangay Connect project, which aims to provide free WiFi to barangays and bring connectivity closer to communities, is being rolled out in key areas around the country, including Mandaluyong, Antipolo, Las Pinas, General Santos, and Nueva Ecija.
Enabling these services is parent company PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country at over 478,000 kilometers as of end-March 2021.
The deployment of Smart WiFi is part of PLDT and Smart’s nationwide rollout and expansion of their integrated fixed wireless networks. To date, Smart’s wireless network, the fastest mobile network in the country according to third-party analytics firm Ookla, covers 96% of the Philippine population from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
PLDT and Smart’s relentless push to provide connectivity for all is aligned with the group’s long-standing commitment to help the Philippines attain the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG #9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
