COMMUNITY | PLDT, Smart train 1,279 entrepreneurs in digital skills
The initiative included workshops conducted with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, International Trade Centre Digital-PINAS initiative and local government units.
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PLDT and Smart Communications trained 1,279 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agripreneurs, tourism stakeholders and livelihood beneficiaries in 21 communities nationwide during the first half of 2026.
The digital learning sessions, conducted with government and community partners, covered digital entrepreneurship, content creation, online marketing and cybersecurity awareness.
The initiative included workshops conducted with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, International Trade Centre Digital-PINAS initiative and local government units.
Among the participants was Queen G. Anino, a rice producer from Santa Cruz, Laguna, who learned how to promote Cabisera Rice online and develop its social media presence.
“The training came at the right time because we are just starting to promote Cabisera Rice and are only beginning to build our social media presence,” Anino said. “With these tools and modern methods, we are excited to become farmer-entrepreneurs who can actively market our products.”
The sessions also covered branding, product presentation and smartphone photography. Angelica Martinez of the Rural Improvement Club Kalinga Center said the training helped the group move beyond word-of-mouth selling by improving how it presents products through mobile phones.
In Los Baños, Laguna, Rafael J. Jumawid of the Los Baños Municipal Cooperative Development Council said the smartphone photography session changed how members approached product promotion.
Tourism MSMEs also participated in sessions with CAITO CALABARZON and the Hospitality Alliance Group of Subic Bay Freeport. The workshops included the use of Reels for marketing and awareness of online scams targeting travel businesses.
Maria Charisma Bea Agarao, executive assistant to the mayor of Santa Cruz, said the training could help local entrepreneurs adapt to digital platforms.
“We want our farmers, fisherfolk, and small entrepreneurs to keep up with changing trends and improve their marketing and sales through digital platforms,” Agarao said.
John Eric Alviz, vice president and head of SME Growth Marketing, Digital and Trade at PLDT Enterprise, said helping MSMEs requires more than access to technology.
“Through our partnerships with government and industry, PLDT Enterprise continues to provide MSMEs with reliable connectivity, practical digital solutions, and learning opportunities that help them strengthen operations, reach more customers, and grow their businesses,” Alviz said.
Stephanie V. Orlino, assistant vice president and head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart, said entrepreneurs benefit when digital skills can be applied directly to their livelihoods.
“Digital skills become more meaningful when communities can immediately apply them to strengthen their livelihoods,” Orlino said. “Through partnerships with government and local organizations, we are helping entrepreneurs build the confidence to market, protect, and grow their businesses online.”
The companies said the #KonektedforLivelihoods initiative will continue to work with government, industry and community partners to support digital skills development among Filipino entrepreneurs.
