PLDT, Smat turn over 100 food packs to Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado (fourth from right) 

PLDT, Inc. (PLDT) and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continue to support communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT and Smart have extended relief aid to eight communities across Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna. 

Guided by the companies’ core value of ‘malasakit’ or compassion, the PLDT group turned over around 800 food packs to the local governments of Lipa City and Sto. Tomas in Batangas; Bacoor, Dasmariñas and Imus in Cavite; Calamba and Santa Rosa in Laguna; and Lucena City in Quezon province. 

“Thank you so much to Smart and PLDT for the groceries you sent. We will distribute these to residents here in Lipa City. Your assistance will go a long way in helping our constituents,” said Lipa City Vice Mayor Mark Aries Luancing. 

Calamba Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco (fourth from left) receives the food aid from PLDT, Smart

The eight areas have logged more than 140,000 COVID infections since the global health crisis began in March 2020. At the start of February, the national government eased restrictions in Metro Manila and seven other provinces including Cavite under Alert Level 2 while Batangas, Laguna and Quezon and the rest of the country were placed under the more stringent Alert Level 3. 

PLDT, Smart and PSF have been assisting communities recover from the disruptions caused by COVID-19. PLDT and Smart aim to create a #SafeandSmart Philippines by championing initiatives that promote a culture of preparedness, provide immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, and relief assistance to communities affected by disasters, and aid in recovery. 

Imus Vice Mayor Ony Cantimbuhan (fourth from right) receives food donation from PLDT, Smart

These programs underscore the commitment of PLDT and Smart in helping the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 11 of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by significantly reducing the number of people affected by disasters.

Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas (third from right) receives the food aid from PLDT, Smart