Digital upskilling for women in need
Partnering up with Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms), PLDT and its wireless unit Smart have kicked off its digital upskilling program for women in need, preparing them for various tech-related jobs and linking them to potential employers. This program resides under PLDT and Smart’s IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy through Technology), which aligns with the company’s thrust toward diversity and inclusion.
Qualified enrolees from non-profit organizations Life Haven Center for Independent Living (CIL), Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation Integration (ATRIEV), and the Association of Women with Disabilities in Dasmariñas, Cavite undergo a five-week learning course to help them level up their skills and find gainful employment.
Women in need including those experiencing physical and psychosocial challenges, those with children or partner/spouse with disabilities, and single moms can enrol in the program.
Qualified enrolees can choose their respective courses, which include general virtual assistance, social media management and marketing, accounting and bookkeeping, and graphics design and video editing, to be led by FHMoms trainers.
Equipped with connectivity support, capacity-building, and comprehensive learning content, successful graduates will be placed in internship opportunities to gain valuable hands-on experience in their chosen field and make connections with potential employers.
PLDT and Smart’s IDEATe programs aim to ensure that all sectors are provided with access and skills to participate in the knowledge and digital economy and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These include goals eight and 10, which focus on decent work and economic plus reduced inequalities by empowering and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.
Teaching the importance of water
In an era marked by growing environmental concerns and the critical need for sustainable resource management, PrimeWater stands out as a trailblazing advocate for water education and awareness through its initiative Lingap Karunungan.
It represents a paradigm shift in water management by recognizing the intricate nexus between water systems, public health, and the environment. Through strategic orientation sessions held in local communities, PrimeWater elucidates these interconnected aspects, empowering communities with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their water resources.
Central to the initiative’s success is its direct engagement with communities, ensuring that education permeates every corner of the community. The personalized approach of face-to-face orientation sessions bridges the gap between intricate concepts and local comprehension.
Since 2021, PrimeWater has reached 1200 communities across the country.
For this initiative, PrimeWater snags the Water Education and Awareness Initiative of the Year - Philippines category. The Asian Water Awards celebrates groundbreaking innovations in water management throughout Asia.
Shedding a light on cancer survivors
Security Bank and Kythe Foundation marked the culmination of its partnership at Kythe’s Partner Recognition Program with a pizza-making and story-sharing activity for cancer survivors at the Security Bank Chino Roces Branch.
This is in light of the agreement signed last year, which aimed to improve education, health and wellness, enterprise and livelihood development, community-building, and promoting employee involvement through various charity initiatives.
The partnership has led to two campaigns aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It follows the third and fourth goals, which include ensuring good health and wellbeing, plus quality education.
One of the programs, Adopt-a-Scholar, is a monthly monetary assistance program, intended to assist cancer survivors catch up with schooling despite their health condition. Cancer survivor students are given ₱58,000 to cover tuition, books, laptops or desktops for online classes, internet connection load, and other educational-related expenses.
Food for the Kids is another campaign patterned after the government’s 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), which provides financial aid to families with children diagnosed with cancer and chronic illnesses seeking treatment at affiliate hospitals.
In line with its sustainability goals stemming from its better banking promise, Security Bank believes that it is able to achieve corporate success by promoting positive social change and social good in the communities it operates in.