PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and its social action arm PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) have donated over 40 solar lamps and generator sets to Olangohanons still reeling from the devastation of Super Typhoon Odette three months on.
Smart and PSF’s provisioned solar lamps and gensets aim to help restart livelihood for affected residents in Cebu’s island of Olango, where life has yet to return to normal in the final weeks of restoration of toppled electric poles and repair of severed wires.
65-year-old Matt Oyao, a fisherman from Barangay Baring in Olango and one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude upon receiving PSF’s solar lamp. “I’d like to thank Smart and PSF for extending assistance to me and my fellow Olangohanons. This will help me resume my fishing livelihood since we were severely affected by the super typhoon.”
Going the extra mile through these efforts form part of PLDT and Smart’s #SafeandSmart advocacy, which promotes preparedness and immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, and relief assistance to help communities mitigate disaster risks. It is also guided by the PLDT group’s core value of malasakit, or compassion.
“Our heartfelt gratitude to your support for Smart is exemplified through our donation of gensets and solar lamps. We understand that the difficulties you are experiencing are heightened whenever you see your children having a rough night sleep because of the current situation. We hope we are able to uplift your spirits with our support,” said Melvin Nubla, First Vice President and Group Head of Smart Go-to-Market and Subscriber Management.
Smart and PSF have been working together to help bring relief and assistance to Odette-hit areas in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Over 50 areas severely impacted by the super typhoon have also been reached by PLDT and Smart’s communications aid via set up of Free Call, Charging and Wifi stations.
These initiatives also underscore the commitment of PLDT and Smart to help the country attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.