Telecom giant PLDT Inc. has officially secured the backing of the Tagbanua Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) for its new undersea fiber-optic project, clearing a major path to boost internet reliability across Palawan.
PLDT recently signed separate agreements with the Tagbanua Central ICC in Puerto Princesa and the Tagbanua Calamian ICC in Busuanga. A third agreement with the Tagbanua Tandulanen ICC in El Nido is scheduled for June. Brokered alongside the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), these agreements ensure that the Palawan resiliency submarine cable project will strictly respect indigenous rights and enforce environmental and cultural safeguards during construction.
This project represents a major advancement for both local infrastructure and digital equity. By adding new undersea routes, the project creates vital network redundancy. This means that if one cable fails, backup lines will immediately take over to keep the province connected, which is critical during natural disasters when communication becomes a lifeline.
Furthermore, the boost in network capacity helps bridge the digital divide by ensuring that remote island communities gain reliable access to online jobs, education, and essential services. Ultimately, this successful collaboration sets a strong precedent, proving that major technology infrastructure can be successfully built while fully respecting the heritage and rights of indigenous groups.
