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| (Image Source: Context.ph/Smart Communications Inc.) |
The Philippines' leading integrated telecommunications network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) have reiterated their support for the national goverment's push to help more local government units (LGUs) digitize and streamline processes. At a recent kickoff of the eLGU Caravan led by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), mayors from all over the country pledged their support for this endeavor through the improvement of bureaucratic efficiency and adoption of innovative solutions toward effective public service delivery.
"We welcome and support the Government's efforts to promote ease of doing business by streamlining its processes, especially as it rolls out the red carpet to its partners in the private sector, instead of red tape," said Smart's Head of Joint Strategic Operations Atty. Pamela B. Felizarta. PLDT is also set to turn over refurbished desktop computers to boost the nationwide rollout of the eLGU program which seeks to automate the processing of business permits, related clearances, and licenses in all cities and municipalities. "PLDT and Smart are always ready to work hand-in-hand with the Government to deliver leveled-up services to Filipinos across the country," said PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications Cathy Yap-Yang. On the other hand, Smart and DICT are collaborating to further strengthen their fight against scammers with the integration of the ladder's eGov PH app (eGOV) into the SIM Registration process.
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| Participants from the SMART SIM Registration team and DICT took part in a workshop on the implementation of eGOV platform integration with Smart's SIM Registration process. (Image Source: Smart Communications Inc.) |
eGOV is a one-stop online system for various government services, covering local and national public agencies. Smart is collaborating with the DICT on the integration of eGOV's extensive database covering Filipinos nationwide into Smart's SIM Registration platform, stepping up the fight to curb fraudulent activities. "Our collaboration with the DICT for eGOV is part of the PLDT Group's support for the government's overall digitalization thrust, with the aim of making government services accessible to more Filipinos across the country," said PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group Jojo G. Gendrano. "This is also part of our ongoing collaboration with the DICT and government to help our subscribers protect themselves and their families from text scams, bank fraud, phishing, and other similar prevalent communication-aided schemes," said Smart Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs Atty. Roy Cecil D. Ibay. Strengthening this partnership, participants from the Smart SIM Registration team and DICT held a workshop on how to implement the eGOV platform integration with Smart's SIM Registration process.
These developments are aligned with PLDT and Smart's longstanding partnership with the national government as a whole to narrow the digital divide, bringing the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country. This includes PLDT and Smart's support for ARTA's telco workshops and the Group's participation in the crafting of Executive Order No. 32, streamlining the permitting process for the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure in the country, which was signed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in July 2023. Meanwhile, Smart has been working closely with DICT in implementing the SIM Registration Act which has enabled the mobile telco brand to attain leadership in the country. Supporting the government's digitalization initiatives are PLDT and Smart's integrated fixed and wireless networks. PLDT operates the country's most extensive fiber infrastructure, enabling Smart's mobile network which covers 97% of the population. These initiatives also underscore the PLDT group’s commitment to help the country contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
