PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, recently organized a capacity building session to enhance the digital skills of around 90 cooperative-members and enterprise owners.
Through PLDT-Smart’s eBizNovation program, Maranao entrepreneurs learned how to tell their own stories and navigate social media, to help them create their unique branding and eventually connect to a wider market online.
Smart’s Mindanao Relations Head Judee Chaves said, “The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur has been our partner for some time and through project eBizNovation, we hope to further strengthen this engagement. We were very happy to see our Maranao entrepreneurs embrace the topics on digital literacy with enthusiasm and excitement and we look forward to seeing their output online.”
Pindoguan Farm Producer Cooperative was founded by farmers and later ventured into food products to provide livelihood opportunities for women. Member Aslia Dimaocom learned the importance of storytelling and realized how their origin story is integral for their branding. “I learned that the best way to market your products is online because almost everybody is now on social media. I always thought that selling our products within our locality was enough. Little did I know that through Facebook, we can reach buyers abroad and provide more support to our families,” said Aslia.
Jamelah Carim, 24, recognized the role social media played for the continued success of their business even during the height of the pandemic. “With this training, I learned more about how to create better product packaging that will enable us to improve our business,” she said.
Ashadie Alonto, Provincial Cooperative Officer, expressed his gratitude to PLDT and Smart. “We are honored to conduct this capacity building program for our cooperatives. More than just enhancing skills, we are investing in this development program for our entrepreneurs to boost their livelihood opportunities and succeed,” he said.
PLDT and Smart’s eBizNovation program aims to leverage digital technologies to develop and improve the lives and livelihood of communities across the country. These efforts are part of the group’s commitment to support the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG #1: No Poverty, SDG # 5: gender equality, and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
