For communities far from major urban centers, reliable mobile connectivity makes a meaningful difference in everyday life. It helps families stay in touch, give students access to more learning resources, and make it easier for residents to connect with government services and online opportunities.

PLDT and Smart are working to bring these benefits closer to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) through the rollout of three Smart cell sites in Cebu, Bukidnon, and Cotabato, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), local government units (LGUs), and community partners.

The initiative covers Barangay Cansuje in Argao, Cebu; Barangay Cacaon in Talakag, Bukidnon; and Barangay Lampayan in Matalam, Cotabato. Ceremonial switch-on activities took place on October 12, October 26, and October 28, 2026, respectively.

The rollout aims to improve access to mobile communication and digital services in underserved areas, opening up more possibilities for education, economic participation, and community development.

“Connectivity can make a real difference in people’s lives, especially in communities where access has long been a challenge. For a student, it can mean more opportunities to learn. For a family, it means staying connected. And for local communities, it opens doors to essential services and new opportunities. By working closely with DICT, local governments, and our community partners, we want to help bring these possibilities within reach of more Filipinos,” said Blums Pineda, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group at PLDT and Smart.

Talakag, Bukidnon

Connecting communities to more opportunities

Beyond bringing mobile connectivity to these communities, the initiative also highlights programs designed to help residents make practical use of digital services.

Among these is the Bayanihan SIM Distribution Program, a collaborative effort between PLDT-Smart and DICT that supports the Bayanihan SIM initiative of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) and DICT.

Through the program, residents, students, and other community stakeholders can benefit from connectivity by gaining access to digital platforms, government services, and online opportunities.

The initiative recognizes that improving digital inclusion involves helping people access the tools and services that make connectivity useful in their daily lives.

Matalam, Cotabato

“Bridging the digital divide means ensuring that Filipinos, wherever they live, have the opportunity to benefit from technology. Through initiatives such as Bayanihan SIM and our collaboration with PLDT, Smart, and local government units, we are working to make digital services more accessible to unserved and underserved communities. Our goal is to help residents, students, and families use connectivity in meaningful ways, whether for education, access to government services, or opportunities to improve their livelihoods,” said Engr. Pinky T. Jimenez, Assistant Secretary for Infostructure Management of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Education is also part of the initiative through the Smart School-in-a-Bag Program, which provides underserved schools with technology-enabled learning tools and digital resources.

The program aims to help improve access to quality education and give students more opportunities to develop digital skills. School-in-a-Bag donations are included in the planned launch activities at Cansuje Elementary School in Cebu, Cacaon Elementary School in Bukidnon, and Lampayan Elementary School in Cotabato.

By pairing improved mobile connectivity with educational resources, the initiative seeks to create more opportunities for students and teachers in communities where access to digital learning tools can be limited.

Committed to supporting public-sector digital inclusion

Celltower

For PLDT Enterprise, the rollout reflects its broader commitment to supporting the public sector in addressing connectivity challenges and advancing digital inclusion across the Philippines.

Guided by its “Committed to Your Success” promise, PLDT Enterprise works with government institutions and public-sector partners to support digital transformation through connectivity and ICT solutions that respond to their needs.

The collaboration with DICT, LGUs, and community partners in Cebu, Bukidnon, and Cotabato demonstrates how coordinated efforts can help extend the benefits of technology to communities that stand to gain from improved digital access.

By bringing together mobile connectivity, SIM distribution, and digital learning resources, the initiative seeks to help more Filipinos participate in an increasingly connected world, regardless of where they live.

 

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