The largest integrated telecommunications company PLDT continues to bolster its support for the government’s initiatives to contain and manage the spread of COVID-19 as it recently announced its expanded support to increase free SMS broadcast services for the Philippine Red Cross’ contact tracing mobile app, RC143, and extending free data usage for downloading and using the app for Smart subscribers.
Developed by VOXP Technologies & Innovations, Inc., RC143 enables users to determine their levels of exposure to COVID-19 based on their movements and location after the user agrees and confirms his consent. This information is collected through the PRC database that determines individuals who have come into close proximity with COVID-positive cases. The Smart Messaging Suite platform allows the RC143 app to send one-time passwords and alerts via SMS through the Soprano API.
"Your contribution to RC143, by allowing free data usage, enabling registrations as well as the broadcast of informative COVID-19 alerts since the beginning of the pandemic, has greatly helped the Philippine Red Cross in reaching out to more Filipinos. We wouldn't have been able to encourage the people to protect themselves and spread awareness on COVID-19 without the support of PLDT and our partners. By providing free data use and text capabilities to RC143, the people are able to protect themselves, get informed and communicate with us directly," said Richard Gordon, CEO of the Philippine Red Cross.
"Thank you very much for all your help. Your company matters, you're doing great corporate social responsibility. You are part and parcel in healing this nation," Gordon added.
Joining the nation’s stance to curb the further spread of the virus last year, PLDT, through its business unit PLDT Enterprise and wireless subsidiary Smart, supported and helped promote the RC143 contact tracing app when it was introduced last year and now has over 100,000 downloads in the Google store. Over two million text messages have also been sent in support for app registrations and safety alerts from the Philippine Red Cross.
“This partnership with the Philippine Red Cross is part of our relentless efforts to enable the government with technology solutions that will allow them to strengthen their initiatives against COVID-19. We at PLDT Enterprise commit to continue supporting the public sector with whatever requirement they may need to improve services for Filipinos especially during these critical times," said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.
"We gladly support the Philippine Red Cross' initiatives to curb the COVID-19 spread by extending our SMS messaging services to aid their communication efforts and whitelist their RC143 for all our Smart subscribers. We thank them for this trust and we at PLDT Enterprise remain committed in supporting all their present and future efforts as we battle this ongoing pandemic together," said Vic Tria, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head.
The PLDT Group, together with the other MVP-led companies, have been consistent in its commitment to help the government and the public in managing the challenges brought by the pandemic with digital solutions and technological support. The whitelisting of the RC143 mobile app is one of the many initiatives that have been rolled out to help agencies and LGUs in mitigating the spread of the virus.
These include free broadcast messaging services for various LGUs, connectivity in quarantine facilities, telecommunications support to various government programs, and now with the roll out of the much anticipated COVID-19 vaccine.
"We really appreciate this initiative to do something for the Philippine market by partnering with PLDT and Smart, and we are really happy to be part of this initiative and we look forward to do a lot more with the Red Cross in the future," said Robin Ng, Soprano SVP Partnership for APAC.
