PLDT, Smart receive back-to-back awards

MANILA, Philippines — For services and programs that help improve the lives of Filipinos, more so amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Philippines’ largest integrated telco PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) received back-to-back recognitions throughout 2020 from renowned international and local institutions and award-giving bodies.

The Group’s most recent citation came from the World Benchmarking Alliance, where PLDT ranked first in Asia and Emerging Markets, and fourth out of the Top 100 Most Influential Technology Companies Worldwide in the group’s 2020 Digital Inclusion Benchmark (DIB 2020).

Developed by an expert review committee of members from the World Bank Group, GSM Association, the International Telecommunications Union, and more, the WBA used four measurement areas in developing the DIB 2020: access, skills, use, and innovation.

All aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and informed by research, stakeholder engagement, and related indexes, the WBA evaluated PLDT-Smart according to their disclosures, commitments and performance.

The company was lauded for its best practices in cybersecurity, child online protection, and reporting of its economic value generated and distributed. It was also recognized for corporate social responsibility programs such as Gabay Guro, PLDT Infoteach, Smart School-in-a-Bag, Connected Mangroves, and its Libreng Tawag (Free Calls), Charging, and Internet efforts during crisis situations.

For its efforts to keep customers, partners, and frontliners safe and connected amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, Smart’s #StaySmart program bagged the Best Crisis Response honors at the 2020 Asia Communication Awards (ACA).

The mobile subsidiary also received a joint ACA citation with network partner Ericsson under the Network Automation category, and nominations under the Best Network Transformation category, Best Social Contribution for Digital Farmers Program, and CEO of the Year for Smart president and chief executive officer Alfredo Panlilio.