PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) are working closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 11 in boosting the digitalization efforts of the agency.

Speaking as the PNP's guest of honor at the traditional Monday flag-raising ceremony at Camp Quintin in Davao City, Engr. Alan R. Abrina, PLDT Assistant Vice President for South Mindanao Customer Service Operations, discussed PLDT and Smart's continued efforts to expand their network services across the region, improve support for the PNP with connectivity infrastructure and possibly collaborate with the PNP's ICT department on relevant projects.

"We hope that through technology, we at PLDT and Smart can continue to support the PNP in the achievement of your goals towards peace and order, and improve the ICT development of the organization," Abrina said. He also discussed the digital transformation in the PNP regional office and livelihood opportunities for PNP personnel.

Abrina also discussed the Group's campaign to raise awareness on the theft of telco equipment in the region, hampering the delivery of the group's services and negatively affecting the experience of PLDT and Smart customers. This comes in the wake of a spate of incidents involving the theft of PLDT modems and Smart batteries. The PLDT Group has called on the public and partners in the local government to be more vigilant and to report incidents to the proper authorities.

PBGEN Lyndon A. Mencio, PNP Deputy Regional Director for administration, said: "We will support PLDT and Smart in addressing the continuing theft incidents in the region. We can cascade this down to the barangay level so that more people are aware." 

As of end-March 2023, PLDT had expanded its total fiber footprint to over 1.1 million kilometers, consisting of over 231,000 kilometers of international fiber and over 874,000 kilometers of domestic fiber. This fiber infrastructure also supports Smart's 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G network, which covers about 97% of the population.

PLDT and Smart's unwavering dedication to improving the quality of the digital infrastructure of government agencies highlights the Group's commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 9 Industries Innovation, and Infrastructure.