A remote municipality in Palawan is expected to gain improved mobile and internet access after a new telecommunications site was activated in San Vicente, supporting the government’s efforts to expand digital connectivity in underserved communities.
The new site was recently launched by Smart Communications in San Vicente, a town located about 500 kilometers southwest of Manila. The facility is expected to enhance mobile coverage in the area and support the government’s Bayanihan SIM program, which provides free mobile connectivity to residents of geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
At Old Caruray Elementary School, around 1,500 SIM cards with prepaid load were distributed to government-identified beneficiaries, including students, through a partnership between Smart and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Beneficiaries will receive 25 gigabytes of mobile data per month for 12 months under a government-funded program.
“By bringing fast and reliable mobile connectivity to towns like San Vicente in Palawan, we enable more Filipinos in underserved communities to access opportunities in education, livelihood, and innovation,” said Menardo G. Jimenez, chief operating officer and network head of PLDT.
“This milestone also highlights the power of strengthened collaboration with our government partners, so that together, we can deliver meaningful connectivity solutions that accelerate inclusive development,” he added.
The launch also included the turnover of a School-in-a-Bag package from the PLDT-Smart Foundation to Old Caruray Elementary School. The package contains a laptop for teachers, 10 tablets preloaded with Department of Education learning materials, a pocket Wi-Fi device, and expandable storage.
Attending the launch were Palawan Gov. Amy Roa Alvarez, Palawan 1st District Rep. Rosalie A. Salvame, San Vicente Mayor Ramir R. Pablico, Barangay Chair Bernardo M. Borja, and representatives from the DICT, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Education, and PLDT Enterprise.
The Bayanihan SIM program is among the government’s initiatives aimed at expanding digital access in underserved and remote communities across the country.
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