Both of the Philippines’ top telecommunications firms, PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, are supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s push for digitalization and connectivity.
In a statement, PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) said they are reinforcing government initiatives to digitalize the nation, supporting the Filipinos' increasingly connected lifestyles and enabling improved delivery of services across the country.
In his third State of the Nation Address, Marcos urged the private sector to work with the government in providing connectivity to Filipinos across the country, including those in far-flung areas.
To bridge the digital gap, equipping students as the country reforms education through technology, and helping sustain the country's economic gains through the promotion of investment-led growth is a must, and to ensure policies and programs create an environment that is conducive for businesses to thrive.
"We at PLDT support the President's vision for a digitally empowered Philippines, where technology uplifts Filipino lives, helps foster meaningful connections, enables livelihoods and businesses of all sizes, transforms Government service and ultimately drives economic progress," said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
The PLDT Group has been a longtime staunch supporter of the Marcos' overall digitalization thrust.
The group said it has continued working closely with government agencies such as the Anti-Red Tape Authority, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, local government units, and other industry stakeholders and telcos to streamline the process of securing permits for the construction and deployment of telco infrastructure.
PLDT has also been collaborating with LGUs across the country to enhance the delivery of government services through technology, and to empower cities across the country to become "smart cities".
Meanwhile, Globe welcomes Marcos' vow to enhance connectivity in the country, including leveraging tower-sharing and initiating policy reforms for faster and more efficient network expansion.
It cited Marcos’s SONA promise to “harness the concept of common towers” and pave the way for “policy reforms and streamlined processes” – steps that Globe has been espousing in various fora to improve connectivity.
Digitalization, Marcos said, should also become the new standard in Philippine schools as a critical component of uplifting the country’s education system.
“Globe thanks the President for giving priority to enhancing the country’s connectivity infrastructure in his SONA. Our goals are well-aligned, and we look forward to our sustained collaboration with the government and other stakeholders to bring to fruition our parallel vision of a digitalized nation,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.
He cited how Marcos’ SONA targets echo Globe’s initiatives, including optimizing the use of common towers to make network builds more capital-efficient.
Globe has also been pushing for policy reforms, including amendments to the outdated National Building Code to classify the internet as a basic necessity, remove lease fees for in-building solutions, and mandate the provision of space for telco infrastructure in buildings and real property developments.
The company has also been calling for the full and effective implementation of Executive Order No. 32, which streamlines the permitting process for telco infrastructure.
Globe’s initiatives to bring connectivity to Geographically Isolated and and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) also complements the government’s efforts to connect remote areas to the internet. To date, Globe’s network has reached over 500 GIDAs across the country.
“The government can count on Globe to be its constant ally in advancing the country’s digitalization goals. We’re ready to work together on necessary policy reforms and collaborate more closely so that every Filipino experiences the life-changing benefits of reliable connectivity,” said Cu.