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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin) |
PLDT and Smart Communications have partnered with the city government of Lipa led by Mayor Eric B. Africa to fast-track the transformation of the City For All Seasons into a Smart City. The telcos are rolling out fiber-powered WiFi in Lipa's hospitals, schools and government offices as well as extending connectivity support to the LGU's COVID-19 pandemic response and vaccination programs.
To date, WiFi sites are already available at the Lipa District Hospital, Bulacnin National High School, San Isidro National High School, Fernando Air Base National High School, Pinagtongulan National High School, Lodlod National High School, Anilao National High School, Bolbok National High School, Lipa City National Science Integrated High School, and Lipa City Senior High School. PLDT and Smart are also rolling out additional WiFi sites across the province's most populous city including the Lipa City Hall, Ospital Ng Lipa, Candido B. Lopez Memorial Public Market and the Lipa City Academy Of Sports, Culture and Arts as well as Abundio Torre Memorial School, GB Lontok Memorial School, Tambo Elementary School and Inosluban Integrated School. Smart also donated more than 12,000 5G-ready SIM cards, smartphones with load to support the city's contact tracing activities and pocket WiFi units for the connectivity needs of the city's vaccination program. It earlier powered the web-based text broadcasting solution Infocast to help the Lipa City LGU in disseminating information to Lipeño citizens.
“Smart has always been there for Lipa,” according to City Mayor Eric B. Africa. “This pandemic has taught us the importance of connectivity,” he explained. “Our students need connectivity to continue their online learning. It is not enough to have the gadgets, one must also have a strong connection to be able to maximize them.” “Connectivity is essential as ever, with majority of businesses and households requiring it for business, school and work,” stressed PLDT Enterprise AVP and Corporate Relationship Management Head Dennis G. Magbatoc. “A resilient, fast and secure network is therefore key to transforming Lipa, the most populous city in Batangas, into a Smart City,” he concluded.
Lipa City recently celebrated its 71st foundation anniversary last June 20, 2021 amidst the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The city sees an ongoing downward trend on the confirmed number of COVID-19 cases as well as the number of active cases mainly due to the various efforts of the city government under the helm of Mayor Eric B. Africa that benefit majority of its residents and further contribute to the rebounding progress of the city. Among these efforts include various virtual competitions and online workshops, the continuing improvement of the city's community park, and the impending construction of the city's housing project Lipeño Heights Subdivision situated at Brgy. Bulacnin.
