With community quarantine restrictions still in place, local upland communities face travel and trade challenges that affect their access to goods and services.  Localized lockdowns also impact pre-existing gender inequalities, causing digital exclusion of females in remote communities.

PLDT group ups the ante on women empowerment in the new normal. At the recently concluded Go Negosyo Mentor Me Online Women’s special, PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) President Esther Santos joined the panel discussion on entrepreneurship where she recognized the creative, resilient and innovative mindset of Filipino women entrepreneurs.

Championing women empowerment, PLDT and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) support the women communities in Payatas through various livelihood programs and donations.

Global citizens of the 21st century are people who know how to adapt to the changing times, according to Roxas City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Feliciano C. Buenafe. He quoted futurist and notable author Alvin Toffler who said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who can’t read and write but those who cannot learn, relearn, and unlearn.”

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.

PLDT group reinforces connectivity and learning tools for teachers and students in Tarlac, most of them from the Aeta community. The initiative is alongside the group’s mission to provide quality education for the Filipino youth, in collaboration with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications and Huawei Philippines.

PLDT-Smart Foundation together with Smart Communications recently partnered with the Ten Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service Foundation to strengthen the digital peace education for the youth of Marawi.

People used to avoid the Sto. Rosario Creek in San Fernando, Pampanga because of the unsightly garbage and its stench.

For residents of Pilar, Camotes Island, a fishing town located more than 50 kms east of Cebu City, connectivity is crucial to keeping their town afloat.

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have reiterated their commitment to help build the Philippines' digital infrastructure to ensure the country's success in a post-pandemic world.