PLDT group ups the ante on women empowerment in the new normal. At the recently concluded Go Negosyo Mentor Me Online Women’s special, PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) President Esther Santos joined the panel discussion on entrepreneurship where she recognized the creative, resilient and innovative mindset of Filipino women entrepreneurs.
“Women are truly resilient. They are creative, caring, smart and innovative. Women carry more than half the sky – as they say. I commend our women entrepreneurs who do their work with so much heart. Thank you for inspiring all of us to go above and beyond,” Santos said.
Other panelists included women business leaders and entrepreneurs such as CDO Foodsphere, Inc. Founder Corazon Ong; W Group of Companies Co-Founder and Vice Chair Rosalind Wee; and Benby Enterprises, Inc. CEO Evelyn Yap.
PSF and PLDT’s wireless arm Smart also raffled off Retailer Kits to 10 luck women entrepreneurs. The Smart Retailer Kits include LTE phones with the Ka-Partner App, a retailer app with loading system, Paymaya, and bills payment functions; and retailer sim cards with load wallet.
Hailing from Calzada Panampunan, Tarlac City, sari-sari store owner Mariper Galapia Binag was one of the beneficiaries of the Smart Retailer Kits.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa PLDT-Smart Foundation dahil sa pagbibigay ng malaking opportunity para po ma-expand or ma-improve pa ang aming business. Malaking tulong po ito at patok na patok ngayong araw dahil sa rami ng mga nagpapaload at nangangailangan ng load para sa online classes at makausap ang mga mahal natin sa buhay na nasa malalayong lugar. Maraming maraming salamat po (I am thankful to PLDT-Smart Foundation because they have given us an opportunity to expand and improve our business. This is a big help for us because there are a lot of people now who use the loading service – either to use for their online classes or to talk to their loved ones who are far away. Thank you very much),” Binag said.
All these efforts underscore the commitment of PLDT, Smart and the PSF to support the 17 Sustainable Goals of the United Nations, particularly in promoting decent work and economic growth, as well as upholding gender equality. The companies’ participation in the forum also highlights the longstanding partnership of PLDT, Smart and PSF with Go Negosyo.
Go Negosyo is the advocacy of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), a non-stock, non-profit organization that champions change by addressing poverty in the country.
