To further drive digital inclusion among Filipinos, thirteen (13) women graduates of PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc.’s (Smart) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) pilot training program for livelihood received desktop units to help them apply their new skills to support their families.

Empowering cacao farming communities in the region, PLDT and Smart, alongside the Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Training Institute (DA-ATI), have kickstarted a partnership with the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), supported by the Government of Canada, the Davao City Cacao Council, and the Davao Region Cacao Council, under the telco group’s award-winning Digital Farmers Program (DFP).

Driving diversity in tech

Addressing the need to drive digital inclusion among Filipinos, especially women, PLDT and wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. successfully concluded the pilot run of their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program for livelihood with 13 women graduates.

During the celebration of the ‘Anilag’ or Harvest of Laguna Festival in March, the PLDT Group turned over 17 desktop computers and 15 Smart Bro Pocket WiFi devices to expand access to learning tools of Lagunense students across the province.

Monica Piquero-Tan considers her work as a Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) head to be no different from her role as a mother. Similar to her dedication to loving and taking care of her children, Monica is also committed to keeping the people of San Francisco, Camotes Island safe and protected.

Beneath the sky over Oriental Mindoro, dry farmlands have experienced limited irrigation in recent months. Five towns in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, including Mansalay, were placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño.

In line with continuous efforts to enhance customer experience and do business responsibly, the Philippines’ largest integrated telecommunications company PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) operationalized its Diversity and Inclusion Policy to include its retail operations and customer touchpoints.

In the mountains of Bukidnon, there is an organization that stands as a testament to female leadership and empowerment. In Barangay Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, women are not only farmers, but leaders and catalysts for change in a flourishing cooperative, Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Cooperative (MARBFC).

PLDT Group’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program has been shortlisted at the 2024 Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards.