Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) announced on Monday an initiative strengthening its network infrastructure in Davao City, to boost connectivity for residents and businesses, particularly micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the local cacao industry.
“This reinforces our commitment to deliver the best possible experience to our customers in Davao City and across the country, connecting families, enabling businesses of all sizes, and powering the country’s overall digitalization thrust,” stated Roderick S. Santiago, first vice president and deputy network head at PLDT and Smart.
Smart rolled out earlier this year new sites and expanded its LTE capacity in Davao City and across Mindanao, benefiting cities such as General Santos, Butuan, Tagum, Koronadal, and Digos, as well as areas in Bukidnon and South Cotabato.
Local entrepreneurs have already begun to feel the positive impact of this enhanced connectivity. Mirasol Magalasin, who leads “Samahan ng may mga iba’t ibang Kakayahan sa Dabaw,” an organization for people with disabilities, said, “As our business recovers, we credit technology for enabling us to market online through social media, especially given our limitations in mobility.”
For Jhomar Pablo, an employee at a Mindanao-based cacao agribusiness, technology has been a game-changer for local farmers. “The introduction of technology-aided farming opens up more opportunities for farmers and promotes sustainable agriculture,” he said.
Both Magalasin and Pablo participated in Smart’s recent eBiznovation and Digital Farmers Program (DFP) initiatives in Davao City. The eBiznovation program, a collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), aims to empower Filipino MSMEs, while the DFP, implemented with the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), focuses on enhancing the skills of farmers.
As e-commerce platforms like TikTok Shop and fintech solutions like Maya gain traction among Filipino entrepreneurs, these programs are essential in helping businesses access broader markets and achieve digital transformation.
The PLDT Group’s ongoing investment in its network aligns with its mission to narrow the digital divide, ensuring reliable internet access nationwide, including in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, thus supporting the government’s digitization efforts.
