PLDT Inc (PLDT) is supporting the recent partnership between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the GoDigital Pilipinas (GDP) Movement to level up digital skills of Filipinos. In particular, PLDT will help in advocating for the importance of digital skills development among key stakeholders.
TESDA and GDP recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly develop and implement training programs and initiatives that will help upskill Filipinos to aid the country’s digital transformation.
Present during the MOA signing were TESDA Director General Suharto T. Mangudadatu, GDP Movement Executive Director Armani Alcayaga, and PLDT Vice President and Head of PLDT Enterprise Marketing, John Eric “Chet” Alviz.
“PLDT shares the vision of TESDA and GDP in ensuring digital inclusivity among Filipinos. With connectivity and innovation at the heart of the Philippines’ digital transformation aspirations, PLDT is always ready to collaborate with Government and private partners to foster the Filipino innovative spirit and develop the digital skills of all our countrymen, leaving no one behind,” Alviz said.
GDP is an initiative of the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the Presidential Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), of which PLDT is a member represented by its President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio. GDP heeds the call of the government to address the risk of a digital divide by promoting digital literacy and building a sustainable digital ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, GDP Movement members will offer resources to enhance TESDA’s ongoing programs, especially initiatives that emphasize ICT skill development and crucial digital skills. The partnership covers areas such as curriculum development, trainer training, and certification.
PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications count digital inclusion as among their major undertakings, particularly to uplift sectors based in the countryside like farmers, fisherfolk, MSMEs, youth organizations, people with disability, indigenous peoples, and rural cooperatives. PLDT and Smart have long been promoting inclusive technology, running digital upskilling programs such as eBizNovation, Digital Farmers Program, InfoTeach, CyberSmart, among others, to help boost livelihood opportunities and provide relevant digital skills to sectors that typically have limited access to digital tools and training – enabling these sectors to participate in the digital economy.
PLDT’s support for the GDP Movement and PSAC is aligned with the company’s commitment to its aspirational multi-year transformation, with elevating customer experience as one of the key priorities. It is also connected with the PLDT Group’s commitment to uplift the lives of Filipinos through adoption of digital services, while ensuring the highest possible quality of internet and connectivity service for all Filipinos.
