Smart Levels Up Customer Experience in Nueva Ecija with Upgraded Cabanatuan Store

PLDT’s wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has officially unveiled its newly upgraded Smart Store at the 2nd Floor Cyberzone of SM City Cabanatuan, reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class customer service and digital experiences to communities in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces.

Originally located at NE Pacific Mall, the store was transferred to SM City Cabanatuan in 2016 to meet the growing needs of the region. Today, it continues to be a vital touchpoint for customers seeking a full suite of services  —from SIM activations and device sales to billing inquiries, technical support, and access to Smart’s latest digital innovations.

“This new Smart Store is more than just a retail space—it’s a hub for connection, empowerment, and service,” said Eden Techico, Vice President and Head of Retail Operations and Transformation at Smart. “We are proud to bring a more personalized and elevated customer experience to Cabanatuan City, a place rich in heritage and heart, and known as the Gateway to the North.”

The store’s opening was graced by distinguished guests including Cabanatuan City Mayor Myca Vergara, Camp Tinio Barangay Captain Anita Pascual, officers from SM City Cabanatuan, and Smart executives, who together celebrated this milestone in bringing closer and more meaningful service to the people of Nueva Ecija.

Customers can explore the latest Smart Prepaid and Postpaid, and PLDT Home offers, switch their mobile numbers to Smart or TNT, and discover new gadgets to enhance their productivity and lifestyle, whether at home or on-the-go. The store also features self-care kiosks and is staffed by knowledgeable specialists who ensure every visit is meaningful and efficient.

Cabanatuan City, the largest in Nueva Ecija -- dubbed the “Rice Granary of the Philippines”—is home to vibrant communities and historical landmarks such as Plaza Lucero and the Cabanatuan Cathedral. It is a dynamic city that continues to thrive as a center of commerce and culture.

This initiative is part of the PLDT Group’s broader mission to expand its retail footprint and bring reliable connectivity closer to every Filipino. 

Smart Powers NBTC Nationwide Tournaments via Smart LiveStream App

Basketball fans can catch and support high school and club teams from all over the Philippines as they compete in the upcoming National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) tournament, as the Smart LiveStream App streams the games for free.

 

Kicking off in North Luzon on January 19 – 21, followed by its Mindanao leg on February 2 - 4, Visayas leg on February 16-18, South Luzon on March 1-3, and ending in Pasay in March, 68 grassroots teams will vie for a spot in the regional championships, where four teams from each region will advance to the nationals and battle it out on the hardcourt against Metro Manila and invited foreign clubs.

 

“Aligned with our advocacy to support grassroots sports development in the Philippines, Smart is enabling Filipinos nationwide to watch NBTC via mobile phones or Smart TV with the Smart LiveStream App, and also to raise awareness and provide exposure to our homegrown basketball talents,” said Jude Turcuato, FVP and Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart.

 

Prominent names like Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto, Kamaka Hepa, Kihei Clark, Jeron Artest, and Kai Ballungay all competed in the NBTC.

 

“Sports, particularly basketball, has always been at the heart of many Filipinos. We are glad to have the support of Smart in helping the Filipino youth cultivate their love for the sport and in inspiring them to become the best athletes that they can be, especially when they suit up for their teams in the future,” said NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano.

 

Smart subscribers can catch all the NBTC action on the Smart LiveStream App using their smartphones or tablets while connected to Smart mobile Internet or their PLDT Home WiFi, which allows subscribers access to absolutely free streaming and no monthly app subscription needed. Smart LiveStream App offers a user-friendly interface and high-quality streaming to make the experience more fun for fans.

 

For a much more immersive viewing experience, Smart users may also stream the NBTC games on their Google-certified Android TV on Android 8.0 version by downloading the Smart LiveStream TV App from the Android TV Google Play Store and linking their Android TV to the app. To do this, subscribers simply need to open the Smart LiveStream Mobile App, go to Menu, click Link Device, and enable the camera to scan the QR code displayed on the Android TV. 

 

Alternatively, Android TV users may go to smart.com.ph/livestream to sign into their account, then go to Menu, click Device Management to add their Android TV by entering the code displayed on the TV and activate their Smart LiveStream TV App.

 

Powered by the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network

 

The Smart LiveStream App is powered by the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network, as cited by Ookla, the global leader for mobile and broadband network intelligence. Smart is the first and only Philippine mobile operator to earn such rare and prestigious recognition for three consecutive reporting periods - in Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and Q1-Q2 2023. 

 

To know more about the NBTC on the Smart LiveStream App, follow Smart’s official Facebook or go to smart.com.ph/Pages/livestream.

Football for Humanity Para-Athletes Share What Inspires them to Become #BetterToday

Community is important in the growth of a person. Like what writer, educator, and humanitarian Helen Keller said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” This is particularly true for para-athletes, whose respective communities have been their support as they strive to become better each day.

For 14-year-old footballer Jerald Pelonita, football is his source of happiness. “It gives me joy because I can play with my classmates. They supported me to join the football team.”

It was not an easy feat for the shy athlete, who was born without his arms, but he did not give up. “I wanted to be like the famous football players in the Philippines. I continue to watch training videos online and I practice those drills.”

Coach Peter Lim, Jerald’s coach, said that for young ones like Jerald, they enjoy being around many friends. “Jerald saw that there’s no discrimination in the sport. We help them develop their personality.”

Meanwhile, for 28-year-old coach Coleen Faye Grande, who now uses a wheelchair after figuring in a car accident, football became her anchor. A former athlete in a Manila university, Coach Coleen leaned on her family and friends’ support. “It has a positive impact on my mental health. They provide emotional understanding, encouragement, and promote my overall well-being.”

Driven by passion for sports

Despite the challenges, Jerald and Coleen remain steadfast in their faith in the game.

Jerald said his focus is on the ball. “I just think about how to win, how to defend. I know that I can’t do everything, especially with my disability. But I think that I can run as fast as everyone else.”

On the other hand, Coleen shared how sports and her community gave her “so much hope to live my life to the fullest.”

“Sports can teach you valuable lessons such as having a sense of discipline and commitment. Having a sense of purpose can motivate you to become the best athlete or coach that you can be,” she said.

Jerald and Coleen are part of this year’s Better Today: Power Move Project, organized by PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), to celebrate World Mental Health month. An advocacy supported by MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity, this video series aims to champion mental health and wellness through sports and features inspiring stories of Filipino para-athletes and coaches who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery, and mental resilience.

This initiative is also aligned with the Group’s commitment to help the country achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals #10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. It also aims to uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, underscoring the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. The promotion of diversity and equality also highlights Concern, one of the four pillars that make up the PLDT Group’s sustainability framework.

PLDT, Smart Vow to Continue Transforming Lives with SWEEP

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart celebrated its 20th year promoting technology and innovation with the Philippines’ colleges and universities with the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP).

“We recognize how conscious today’s youth are of the world they live in. They want to have a hand in shaping their own future and that of the world’s. We hope to help them reach these goals through SWEEP,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.

By promoting a culture of innovation among schools and universities and encouraging more Filipino students to get into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math or STEM and ICT-related courses, SWEEP also aims to bring long-lasting impact to communities through technology.

SWEEP also paved the way for Innovation Generation (InnoGen), an innovation grant program for tech-savvy college and senior high school students who strive to become digital changemakers.

Team SenOptica from Talavera Senior High School in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, one of the winners from InnoGen’s latest season, shared how present and emerging technologies led them to develop their product, a wearable sensor-based assistive device for people with visual impairment.

"Their stories became the driving force behind our human-centric approach to innovation, emphasizing the importance of empathy in our work. It was in these moments that we realized that innovation is not just about technology; it's about understanding the needs of the people we aim to serve,” said 18-year-old Angel Hannah Rayo, SenOptica Developer.

“PLDT and Smart helped us transform our idea into a real-world solution that could truly make a difference in people's lives, especially for people with visual impairment,” she added.

22-year-old Prince Ramirez of Wesleyan University Philippines also shared how PLDT, and Smart enabled them to develop TARALIBOT to bring long-lasting impact.

“TARALIBOT aims to empower local and indigenous merchants, who often lack marketing resources, by giving them an online platform and helping them reach a larger audience to bridge this gap. We hope to bring change where local business are given equal opportunities to thrive in the digital economy,” said Prince.

Through the years, the PLDT Group has underscored the value of inclusive learning and industry-academe linkages like SWEEP, particularly to promote STEM education in the country. This commitment also supports UNSDG #4: Quality Education and is aligned with the vision of the Philippine Government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC). As one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure pillar of PSAC, PLDT aims to help narrow the digital divide by creating more STEM experts and upskilling more Filipinos toward jobs of the future.

PLDT, Smart Showcase Best Practices in Driving Culture of Innovation and Learning

Leading integrated telco PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) are fostering a culture of learning and innovation within the Group by upskilling their employees and harnessing internal platforms to make workflows within the company more seamless.

At the recent “Transform the World of Work at ACHIEVE: Manila” forum hosted by software company ServiceNow, PLDT and Smart Executives Joseph Sermonia and Kristine Hung shared PLDT and Smart's journey in embracing low-code and no-code platforms, which have led to reduced costs, improved productivity and employee engagement, as the Group continues to look for ways to optimize its processes.

"Our strategy is simple: Modernize, transform and innovate. We want to modernize our legacy applications and align it with our org-wide cloud strategy. We want to transform our company culture into one that is more service-oriented. We also have to innovate--we have to continuously improve and transform great ideas into reality," said Sermonia, a Platform Architect at PLDT.

Hung, Project Manager for PLDT and Smart's Citizen Development Program, said the rise of "citizen developers" or non-technical employees who are empowered to be change makers and enabled to build automations using no-code or low-code IT-governed platforms will also help free up other IT personnel within the company to handle more complex deliverables and innovations.

"Our vision for the program is to empower anyone in the organization to deliver innovative ideas as a Citizen Developer using no-code/low-code technology, and to bridge the gap between the growing demand to deliver more digital solutions and innovation with improved speed and agility," she said.

Launched in 2022, PLDT and Smart's Citizen Developer program was overseen by the Group's IT team and has produced more than 200 Citizen Developers, with over 100 automation ideas submitted.

Hung cited as an example the impact of the first applications built by Properties and Facilities Management (PFM) Citizen Developers. "With the first applications built 100% by PFM Citizen Developers, the team became more agile and able to process renewals and reports in a shorter amount of time, ahead of time and 100% compliant," she said.

"This also enabled them to focus on the upkeep of PLDT and Smart’s site equipment and facilities, with their ad hoc activity of monitoring due dates and report consolidation already automated. Centralization of data repository has also provided management with a more cohesive and comprehensive nationwide view of real-time information, allowing them to forecast trends and future expenses," she added.

On the other hand, Sermonia also cited that the Group’s implementation of a unified IT service management platform has reduced the number of email requests by 88%, nearly doubling case resolution rate, and reducing ticket backlog by a third.

These initiatives to improve internal processes by leveraging technology are fundamental to the aspirational PLDT 2025 vision and strategy laid out by its President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio.

Under PLDT’s 2025 vision, the company aims to further strengthen its standing as a premier workplace in the country, bring the best experience to its customers, and establish industry-leading operational excellence across the group. This is also aligned with the Company’s purpose to inspire innovation and meaningful connections.

PLDT, Smart, TikTok Shop Scale Digital Upskilling, Reaching more MSMEs and Coops Nationwide

PLDT and Smart have expanded their eBiznovation initiative, a digital upskilling-to-ecommerce program that aims to provide local entrepreneurs, cooperatives and Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), with the right digital tools to help them grow their businesses online.

Scaling up eBiznovation, PLDT and Smart have started utilizing other platforms to promote the program and encourage more partners to extend opportunities from digitalization among all sectors.

“At PLDT and Smart, we believe that collaboration is key to advancing the goals of eBiznovation and achieving them more efficiently. By working with like-minded partners from various industries, we are able to boost our efforts to digitally upskill and assist local enterprises, helping them to increase productivity and income through digital technology," said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

Leaders and experts from the technology industry joined the discourse on the vital role of supporting small- to medium-scale local enterprises and their contribution towards the country’s economic growth at the recent Philippine Digital Convention 2023 (PH Digicon 2023) organized by PLDT Enterprise.

“Our clients and partners have so far done an amazing job in driving the evolving digital landscape of the MSMEs. During this gathering at Digicon, PLDT Enterprise recognizes and celebrates MSMEs as the life force of our country,” said Euan Rex Toralballa, Customer Relationship Management Head for Luzon at PLDT Enterprise.

"TikTok Shop connects Filipino MSMEs with the wider TikTok community, allowing them to reach a broader market and expand from offline to online. Through PLDT and Smart's eBiznovation Buy Local Bazaar on TikTok Shop and in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, we have enabled Filipino farmers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to gain direct access to consumers and expand their revenue opportunities by onboarding them onto TikTok Shop. We are committed to building the digital capacity of Filipino MSMEs and enabling them to grow and expand their business," said Toff Rada, Head of Public Policy for TikTok in the Philippines.

A digital convention where global industry mavens, thought leaders, and pioneers in technology come together to help drive technological enablement for enterprises, PH Digicon has served as a hub for innovation, digital transformation, and technology advancements in the Philippines.

The PLDT Group continuously finds ways to promote inclusive technologies that can help boost livelihood opportunities among farmers and fisherfolk, leaving no one behind. The eBiznovation program also highlights the PLDT Group’s support to the government’s Go Digital Pilipinas Movement as a founding member of the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the Private Sector Advisory Council, which seeks to uplift the lives of Filipinos through adoption of digital services.

PLDT and Smart Equip Startups with Cybersecurity, Data Management

PLDT and Smart technical field experts shared cybersecurity and data management best practices with the finalists of the PLDT and Smart Startup Innovation Challenge. Organized by PLDT Innolab, the learning sessions aimed to further arm the participating startups with the importance of compliance to data management and preparedness to handle potential cyber threats.

“In an ever-increasingly digital world, we recognize the importance of injecting cybersecurity and data privacy into the DNA of startups. This mindset will help them become equipped in any future corporate collaborations,” said PLDT Head of Innovations Lab and Ecosystem Partnerships (INNOLAB) Kristine Dara Ever Juan.

One of the topics under the #CyberSmart module focused on protection of social media assets. Elijah Mendoza, Smart Senior Manager for Digital Communications, warned innovators against phishing activities that aim to trick victims into revealing their personal information and other login credentials.

“Beware of unidentified callers or senders. Never share sensitive data. Do not open links from suspicious images. This is a common tactic scammers use to lure victims to phishing websites,” he said.

To protect digital assets, Mendoza emphasized the importance of keeping One-Time Passwords or OTPs private and how legitimate organizations will never ask for it at any point.

Carl Balagot, Head of Awareness, Training, and User Adoption of PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG), urged innovators to educate team members on cyber threats. He recommended limiting user privileges to data and systems necessary for their roles. Balagot also suggested using intrusion detection systems, security information and event management tools, and network traffic analysis to detect anomalies.

“Businesses need an incident response plan. It outlines the steps to be taken in a security incident, as well as the person to contact, how to isolate affected systems, and what to communicate with stakeholders,” added Balagot.

Dinjo Constantino, Learning and Communications Executive at the PLDT Data Privacy Office, unpacked the module on Data Privacy and Protection to help startups manage customer information.

“You need to be transparent why you are collecting customer data. There must be a legitimate reason why you’re processing it. The information being asked needs to be proportionate for the purpose of its collection,” reminded Constantino.

He also discussed the Privacy Impact Assessment, a decision-making tool used to identify and mitigate privacy risks at the beginning of a project and throughout its data lifecycle.

Ten teams made it to the finals of the PLDT and Smart Startup Innovation Challenge. Cebu-based Xeleqt AI with its AIOT-powered end-to-end HR Automation Solutions took home the grand prize, during the Final Pitching and Demo Day held on the second day of the Philippine Digital Convention 2023 (PH Digicon 2023) organized by PLDT Enterprise.

The efforts of PLDT and Smart to share CyberSmart tips are rooted in their customer-centric culture where they aim to elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting them from threats and cyber-attacks. The PLDT Group’s initiatives to boost startups and innovators support the government’s Go Digital Pilipinas Movement and the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), which seek to elevate lives of Filipinos through digital service.

Champion Obstacle Course Para Athletes on What Made them #BetterToday

For Adaptive National Athlete of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Kent Tumangan, representing the country in this sport brought back his self-confidence and discipline. The 27-year-old obstacle course racer and dragon boat paddler found his passion in sports after losing a leg to cancer.

“After my amputation, I went through depression because I was just a teenager when I lost my leg to bone cancer. I kept praying for the Lord to give me a sign so that I could continue my life with one leg. I joined sports for people with disabilities like Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, so that I could divert my thoughts and not feel hopeless,” the para athlete from Mandaue City, Cebu said.

Soon after, he joined the PADS Adaptive Dragonboat Racing team when he saw their post on social media. “That’s what I like about [dragon boat] because our opponents are people without disabilities. Our team is composed of people with disabilities, and our team is competitive. We compete and win overseas,” he shared.

Aside from dragon boat racing, Kent also found a new passion in obstacle course racing. In fact, he, and another teammate, Renson Embradura took home the silver and gold medals, respectively, in the recent OCR World Championships held in Belgium in September 2023.

Famous as a one-legged runner in his community, 32-year-old Renson joined the OCR team upon the invitation of his friend. The para athlete from Sariaya, Quezon was apprehensive at first, but he soon learned to appreciate OCR. He went against the warning of his family, who feared for him when he first joined the team. “They were afraid that I might run into an accident, but I wanted to prove something. I wanted to show my peers that disabilities do not hinder a person, as long as they have the determination to pursue their goals and reach the finish line,” he said.

“Sports does not discriminate, whether you are a person with or without disabilities. This is an opportunity for us to play this sport and represent our country. For those who want to become professional athletes, they should simply do their best and stay consistent,” Kent advised.

Kent and Renson are part of this year’s Better Today: Power Move Project to celebrate World Mental Health month. An advocacy supported by PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), together with partners MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity, this video series aims to champion mental health and wellness through sports and inspiring stories of Filipino para-athletes and coaches who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery, and mental resilience.

This initiative is also aligned with the Group’s commitment to help the country achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals #10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities, and uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, underscoring the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. The promotion of diversity and equality also highlights Concern, one of the four pillars that make up the PLDT Group’s sustainability framework.

Watch Kent’s and Renson’s full interviews on the Better Today Facebook Page and YouTube channel.

PLDT, Smart Mark 20th Year with SWEEP, Inspiring Youth on Tech and Innovation

PLDT and Smart forge ahead in guiding youth towards the future of technology and innovation. 

Demonstrating its commitment towards academic and professional excellence, the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program or SWEEP, the first and longest-running industry-academe linkage in the Philippines, is now on its 20th year. 

 

“When we launched SWEEP or the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program in 2003, our dream was to make bold changes in the industry, by promoting a culture of innovation in schools and by encouraging more Filipino students to get into STEM and ICT-related courses,” said Cathy Yap-Yang, FVP and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart. 

 

SWEEP has become an avenue for long-term learning and discovery about technology as a catalyst for growth and development among the youth. 

 

“We continue to work closely with the country’s leading colleges and universities. We have likewise succeeded in producing industry-ready graduates to meet the increasingly digital demands of our customers, our communities, and our country,” said Roderick S. Santiago, Head of Network at PLDT and Smart. 

  

SWEEP has become an avenue for long-term learning and discovery about technology as a catalyst for growth and development among the youth. 

   

“We believe that continuous learning and exposure to emerging technologies, through SWEEP, can equip the youth towards finding innovative solutions that can help create positive impact for present and future generations,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.   

  

To officially celebrate SWEEP’s two decades and the program’s milestones, the PLDT Group has just concluded a learning and networking summit called SWEEP@20 and beyond, for its partner schools this month.    

  

Providing a peek into the future, the PLDT Group has discussed more about how 5G, AI or artificial intelligence, XR or extended reality, cloud computing, and advanced networks can help create a sustainable and more inclusive world for all Filipinos and leave no one behind. 

   

Through the years, the PLDT Group has underscored the value of inclusive learning and industry-academe linkages like SWEEP, particularly to promote STEM education in the country. This commitment also supports UNSDG #4: Quality Education and is aligned with the vision of the Philippine Government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC). As one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure pillar of PSAC, PLDT aims to help narrow the digital divide by creating more STEM experts and upskilling more Filipinos toward jobs of the future. 

PLDT, Smart, ATRIEV Empower Visually Impaired Persons with Digital Training in Negros Oriental

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), together with non-profit organization ATRIEV, held a ten-day Android accessibility training in Dumaguete City to upskill twenty visually impaired persons from eleven municipalities in Negros Oriental.

This training seeks to help participants navigate their Android devices independently with the help of a TalkBack screen reader.

“We want to share with them the power of technology and how it can make a difference in their daily lives. Through this initiative, we also intend to provide them with the knowledge they need to establish their own businesses,” said Jaelene Cristel Mina, Master Trainer II at ATRIEV.

ATRIEV is a non-profit organization that capacitates visually impaired persons using technology-enabled assistive programs. This digital training was also conducted by visually challenged members of ATRIEV.

Participants, composed of students, working adults, and small-time business owners, were also equipped with the basics on financial management and technology for business. ATRIEV trained them on how to use digital tools and applications that they can maximize for their daily activities and businesses, such as social media, email services, editing apps, and online word processors, among others.

Kris John Santillan, 32, from Valencia City, has been visually impaired since he was in high school. He can only see with his left eye now, and it is likewise foggy. “It's my first time using my device's screen reader feature, and it has been very helpful. This training has given me a lot more confidence, especially in my job search,” he said.

To provide additional livelihood opportunities, PLDT and Smart briefed participants about online payments and how they can start their own e-loading business. They also learned about the different types of phishing and how they can protect themselves from online scammers.

“This experience has given me a deeper appreciation for technology. It dawned on me that technology should be most accessible to those who have unique circumstances, like the visually impaired, because they deserve to experience the best things life has to offer,” said Armel Malijan, head of Consumer Business Fulfilment for PLDT Negros-Siquijor Division.

The success of Dumaguete City's training program relies heavily on the crucial support from the local government unit, private institutions such as PLDT and Smart, and NGOs such as NORFIL Foundation/Liliane Fonds and Voice Philippines. These collaborative efforts are vital in ensuring the program's effectiveness and its ability to positively impact the community.

The initiative forms part of PLDT and Smart’s Infoteach program, which is aligned with the group’s commitment to help the country achieve UNSDG #10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. It also helps underscore the PLDT Group's commitment to innovation and digital inclusion, and to assist in the government's key digitalization efforts. The PLDT Group is a founding member of the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the presidential Private Sector Advisory Council or PSAC.