Benise Balaoing

PLDT, Smart renew partnership with government agencies to help push for digital inclusion. PLDT COO Butch Jimenez says priority for 2026 is bring connectivity to state universities nationwide. Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News.

Article (news)

PLDT, Smart partner with gov’t to bring internet to schools

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Telco giant PLDT and its wireless unit Smart have renewed their partnership with various government agencies to push for digital inclusion across the Philippines.At the PLDT and Smart Communities event in Makati on Wednesday, PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer Butch Jimenez led the ceremonial signing of the public-private partnership agreement with government agencies, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Justice, among many others.PLDT and Smart will help the agencies and the private sector in harnessing technology to strengthen communities and improve public services. One of the key priority projects for 2026 is on education.“Working with CHED [Commission on Higher Education] and DepEd [Department of Education] to be able to put connectivity and broadband into as many schools as we can-especially state universities. It&#x27;s a bit of a shocker that many, maybe even majority of the state universities have no digital connectivity,” Jimenez added.He added that they will try to bring internet connection to state colleges and universities as well as to other public schools across the country, as mentioned also by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. But Jimenez said they will not just provide access to the internet, but will also expand their program to provide devices to some sectors.“School in a bag. That will provide connectivity. That will provide laptop for the teacher. That will provide tablets for the students,” he said.Jimenez added that it is not enough to just give connectivity but also the tools to use that connection. He also said they are partnering with tech companies like Microsoft to provide educational platforms to teachers and students to be able to be globally competitive.Aside from education, the partnership will also help the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers, and improve disaster preparedness and emergency response through technology. There are also initiatives to prevent cybercrimes and online scams, with the help of new technology.

PLDT and Smart have renewed their partnership with various government agencies to push for greater digital inclusion across the Philippines.

PLDT and Smart have renewed their partnership with various government agencies to push for greater digital inclusion across the Philippines.