PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are partnering with Lingayen in Pangasinan and boosting the city's bid to become a 'Smart City' with connectivity and digital solutions.
Under the partnership, Smart is rolling out fast, reliable and fiber-powered Smart WiFi at the Lingayen Municipal Hall, Plaza and Public Market. Smart is also deploying Smart Barangay Connect in Lingayen barangays to bring connectivity closer to communities.
To support Lingayen's COVID-19 response, Smart has also launched Smart Infocast, a web-based text broadcasting facility that will help the LGU in its information dissemination initiatives, as well as provided Lingayen with a dedicated hotline for citizen response amid the pandemic through Project Hotline, making it easier for city officials to communicate with their constituents.
Meanwhile, PLDT Enterprise is also supporting the LGU through Enterprise postpaid lines and Beyond Fiber broadband service as the city gears up to become a Smart City. Also in the pipeline are managed internet and broadband services and cybersecurity solutions for the city.
As the country prepares to revive tourism with the rollout of vaccines nationwide, Smart is also partnering with the Lingayen Municipal Tourism Office to dress up their tourist areas, including Lingayen Baywalk and Lingayen Tourism Eco-Park Complex.
"With connectivity at the heart of every progressive city in the New Normal, we welcome partnerships like these in order to elevate the Municipality of Lingayen to be at par with other cities in the country," said Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, who led the partnership ceremonies attended by Vice Mayor Judy D. Vargas, City Administrator Roberto G. Sylim, and PLDT and Smart representatives led by Smart FVP and Regional Head – Consumer Sales Group John Y. Palanca, Smart AVP for Regional Customer Development - Luzon Leonides Nivado, and PLDT Enterprise Relationship Manager Ysrael Rodriguez.
Palanca emphasized the importance of technology in increasing citizen awareness and engagement. "We are one with Mayor Bataoil in realizing his vision for Lingayen and promoting economic growth, reducing red tape and increasing efficiency, through unity, collaboration, and teamwork," he said. "With the collaboration of citizens, private sector, and the government, we can drive meaningful change together."
PLDT First Vice President Vic Y. Tria also highlighted the role of technology in economic recovery amid the pandemic. "A fast, resilient and secure network will enable Lingayen to continue its operations and bring value to the community it serves. With the transformative potential brought by connectivity and technology, Lingayen now sits at the forefront of unlocking new possibilities to boost digital government, transparency, accessibility and engagement," he said, adding that this includes fiber, 5G and WiFi, enabling the city’s residents and businesses to access PLDT's high-quality digital services.
These initiatives are aligned with Smart's thrust in its "Live Smarter for a Better World" campaign, which elevates Smart's long-running community partnership programs and enables "personal revolutions" that inspire lasting positive change through connectivity and CSR initiatives.
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.
Enabling these services is parent company PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country at over 511,000 kilometers as of June 2021.
PLDT and Smart’s 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 and SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
