Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Aboitiz Foundation, the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group, have teamed up to boost the digital capacities of local cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide through 'Aboitiz Smart Cooperatives'.  

In this undertaking, Smart and Aboitiz Foundation are providing 19 coop beneficiaries a ‘Digiskarte Package’, which includes Smart SIM cards, LTE handsets, retailer kit with load wallet, customized store signage, ICT training, and other freebies. With these solutions, coops can access the digital marketplace, make business transactions online, and keep in touch with fellow members.

“Widespread lockdowns and heightened restrictions may have greatly affected the movement of goods and business operations in general; however, these have also given rise to e-commerce and online marketplaces. Utilizing this circumstance, every component of the ‘Digiskarte Package’ is put together with the local coops in mind to assist them in their digital transformation and economic recovery,” said Alex O. Caeg, PLDT and Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Sales Group, who led the virtual Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony with Aboitiz Foundation President and COO Maribeth Marasigan.

“We, at PLDT and Smart, are grateful to Aboitiz Foundation and to our partner cooperatives, who have joined us in our journey towards creating a Better World for all, a Better Normal in this time of pandemic,” he added.

‘Aboitiz Smart Cooperatives’ is a program under Aboitiz Foundation’s ‘Biyaheng Digiskarte’, which educates cooperatives and MSMEs how to use digital platforms in marketing their products and boosting their earnings.

“This partnership brings hope in this modern world and hope for the modern cooperative. Our support does not end here, Aboitiz Foundation, together with Smart, will continue to guide and assist you through training and mentoring so that we can further develop your business,” said Marasigan.

Emma Golocan, General Manager of Thanksgiving Multipurpose Cooperative, also delivered a message on behalf of the partner coops, who attended virtually from across the country. “Thank you, Smart and Aboitiz Foundation, for not leaving us coops behind during this crisis. Going digital is still a challenge for us. We appreciate this project because it will pave the way to ease our business transactions with the help of technology,” said Golocan.

Held in time for National Cooperative Month, Smart empowers cooperatives to ‘Live Smarter for a Better World’ by fostering sustainable actions through technology, underscoring its commitment to fulfill the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, particularly Goal 1 – No Poverty and Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.