With the Marcos administration gearing to make digitalization in full throttle, the Pangilinan-run PLDT Inc. said they fully support the initiatives of the Private Sector Advisory Council Digital-Infrastructure Group’s GoDigital Pilipinas movement, particularly in the digital upskilling of more Filipinos.
“We support GDP and the government’s initiatives in bridging the digital divide, all aimed to help ensure that no Filipino is left behind as we empower more of our countrymen through technology,” said PLDT president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio, who is a founding member of the PSAC’s Digital Infrastructure group.
PSAC’s GDP follows the government’s call to address the digital divide risk by promoting digital literacy and building a sustainable digital ecosystem.
“To hasten the country’s digital upskilling and transformation, we at PLDT remain committed to providing best-in-class connectivity infrastructure, digital services, and cloud applications that serve the needs of individuals, families, businesses, and enterprises nationwide,” Panlilio said.
“GDP goes hand in hand with our thrust at PLDT of empowering our customers with knowledge, which will ultimately help them best leverage on our products and solutions,” Panlilio added.
In addition to PLDT’s network investments, Panlilio highlighted the importance of having a pipeline of professionals that would power the country’s digital pivot.
“PSAC’s GDP aligns with the whole-of-society approach encapsulated in the Philippine Development Plan, with jobs creation as one of the focus areas. As we aim for a revitalized society, we need to upskill more Filipinos toward future jobs,” he said.
Aligned with GDP’s digital upskilling focus area, PLDT Group pioneered efforts in producing industry-ready Filipino graduates through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math or STEM specialization in 2003.
On the other hand, the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program, or SWEEP, contributes to the academic and professional journey of 27 partner colleges and universities nationwide through equipment, technical training, innovation platforms, immersive experiences and extension services.
More than 15,000 teachers have also been trained in the Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Program, producing students whose competence in STEM disciplines is comparable to global standards. PLDT, Smart, and its social outreach arm PLDT-Smart Foundation have supported the disaster -resilient and innovative teaching strategy since 2010, along with other long-running group-wide initiatives that back United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education.