Free access to Bilang Pilipinopoll news via SafeZone app

MANILA, Philippines - Millions of Filipinos will be able to get free access to breaking election news and updates at the Bilang Pilipino website through the SafeZone mobile application.  

Smart and Sun Cellular subscribers will be able to access content of Bilang Pilipino through the mobile application, said Orlando Vea, president and chief executive officer of Voyager Innovations, the digital innovations arm of PLDT and developer of the SafeZone app.

“Digital media is already enabling Filipinos in very meaningful ways. By making access to BilangPilipino.com free of charge via SafeZone, we are making it easier for our citizens to participate in the electoral conversation,” he said.

Bilang Pilipino is the multi-platform election coverage of TV5, The Philippine STAR, Interaksyon, News5Everywhere, Philstar.com, BusinessWorld, Bloomberg, PLDT, Smart, Voyager Innovations and Talas.

Its partners include Namfrel, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Parish-Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), as well as the University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Far Eastern University. 

“Our nation’s history is unfolding even as our collective future is being shaped,” said Noel Lorenzana, president of Mediaquest Holdings, the umbrella company that brings together TV5, Digital5, Bloomberg, and The STAR Group of Companies for the Bilang Pilipino coverage. 

“It’s important for our fellow countrymen to keep updated on developments and participate in the online discussions.

“With this initiative with SafeZone, we are helping enable the mobile data experience for millions of Filipinos who are closely following the elections.”

Benjie Fernandez, chief operating officer at Voyager Innovations, said the partnership would allow Filipinos to access latest election-related information. 

“This is the most digitally engaged elections we have seen so far in our country’s history,” said Fernandez. 

“Bilang Pilipino is already providing us with the most in-depth, data-driven and relevant news coverage,” he said. “This initiative to free up data access through SafeZone allows more Filipinos anywhere, anytime to be informed and act.” 

The SafeZone mobile app is available for download via Google Play or App Store. It also gives users free access to popular brand and social networking sites such as Facebook Lite, Twitter and Instagram.

Voyager Innovations is the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart. 

Part of its mission is to enable digital inclusion with platforms such as SafeZone and PowerApp.

The Safezone platform provides daily free access to partner sites in banking, travel, health, food, leisure, information and entertainment.