Key takeaways:
• PLDT, NCIP and three Tagbanua ICCs — Tagbanua Central ICC in Napsan, Puerto Princesa; Tagbanua Calamian ICC in Busuanga; and Tagbanua Tandalunen ICC in Sibaltan, El Nido — are signing Memoranda of Agreement in relation to the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project
• The network project adds submarine cable routes to make PLDT’s network in Palawan more resilient
• MOA highlights shared commitment to recognize and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and continue to adhere to cultural, social, and environmental safeguards throughout the network project.
Palawan’s Tagbanua Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) have given the green light to a critical PLDT submarine cable project that is designed to keep the province and its communities connected via additional submarine cable routes.
PLDT representatives led by Arvin L. Siena, PLDT Vice President for Network Design and Engineering (seated, third from left) at the signing ceremonies with members of the Tagbanua-Calamian ICC in Busuanga, Palawan, led by Prudencio P. Calis, tribal leader (seated, fourth from left).
In separate ceremonies, members of the Tagbanua Central ICC in Napsan, Puerto Princesa, and the Tagbanua Calamian ICC in Busuanga, signed Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with PLDT and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to reinforce their shared commitment to recognize and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and continue to adhere to cultural, social, and environmental safeguards throughout the implementation and completion of the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project. A third signing with Tagbanua Tandulanen ICC in Sibaltan, El Nido is scheduled in June.
Led by PLDT's Network team, the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project aims to enhance the reliability, resiliency, and capacity of PLDT's network across the province.
“We are thankful for this opportunity to work more closely with our Tagbanua communities, so that we are able to build resilient network infrastructure that also honors their customs, rights, and stewardship,” said Arvin L. Siena, PLDT Vice President for Network Design and Engineering, who attended the signing ceremonies in Napsan and Busuanga.
PLDT representatives led by Arvin L. Siena, PLDT Vice President for Network Design and Engineering (fourth from left) at the signing ceremonies with members of the Tagbanua-Central ICC in Napsan, Palawan.
Menardo G. Jimenez, PLDT COO and Network Head, likewise emphasized the importance of putting network redundancies in place to keep PLDT’s nationwide network infrastructure reliable and help ensure that Palawan communities stay connected to essential services, opportunities, and each other, especially during times when communication matters the most.
“Strengthening Palawan’s network resiliency supports PLDT’s broader mission of nation‑building through digital inclusion. Through network resiliency and expansion projects in critical areas like Palawan, we can help bridge connectivity gaps, improve network reliability, and ensure that even far-flung communities are able to reap the benefits of the internet with no island left offline,” said Jimenez. “As we partner with communities like the Tagbanua and the government, we prove time and again that meaningful digital transformation must be grounded in shared responsibility.”
This milestone is part of the PLDT Group’s continued efforts to expand and enhance its network infrastructure across the country to level-up customer experience and support the government’s overall digitalization thrust. This also contributes to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to help the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
