The Philippines’ leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) reaffirm their commitment to provide world-class service powered by top-tier, internationally certified facilities and processes, and to expand the Group’s culture of resilience to communities across the country.
“In adhering to stringent international standards, the PLDT Group cements its reputation as industry leader, ensuring the delivery of reliable, secure, and high-quality services. These ISO certifications highlight the Group’s consistent focus on operational excellence, setting benchmarks that align with global best practices,” said Leo A. Gonzales, VP and Head of Property Facilities and Asset Resiliency Management, and Chairman of PLDT Central Environment, Health and Safety Committee.
Newest ISO-certified site
In November, Smart’s network facility in Palawan became the latest site to receive an ISO certification for Business Continuity Management System (ISO 22301:2019), bringing to 25 the PLDT Group’s total number of BCMS certifications. Covering critical network assets nationwide, including cable landing stations and network operations centers, these certifications are a testament to the company’s ability to consistently prevent, minimize, and recover from disruptive incidents while mitigating financial and reputational impact across its critical facilities and operations across the country. These certifications also ensure that the Group’s facilities that support voice, data, and converged multimedia services connectivity are compliant to international standards for business continuity preparedness.
Over the past year, the PLDT Group has also notched additional certifications for Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015), and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018).
Under ISO 9001, organizations address inefficiencies and areas for improvement within their operations through the implementation of standardized processes and procedures, regular review of performance, feedback from stakeholders, and corrective actions, as guided by ISO 9001 standards.
On the other hand, ISO 14001 focuses on the integration of environmental management in the company’s strategies. The standard promotes environmental protection through the efficient use of resources relevant to the company’s operations, and waste reduction. Meanwhile, ISO 45001 helps companies come up with a framework on improving employee safety, reducing risks in the workplace, and creating better, safer working conditions. It aids organizational plans for emergencies and potential life-threatening situations.
Spreading culture of resilience
PLDT and Smart are also driving initiatives to cultivate a resilient culture, not only within the company and its employees, but among communities across the country as well. These include disaster preparedness and business continuity trainings that equip employees and communities alike to face challenges brought about by climate change, disasters and emergencies.
“As an organization committed to excellence, adhering to world-class standards through ISO certification is non-negotiable for us,” said Analeen See Co, head of PLDT and Smart’s Business Continuity Strategy and Analytics Division under the company’s Business Continuity and Resilience Office (BCRO), which leads the company’s pursuit of these quality standardization measures. “These standards ensure that we consistently deliver top-tier services to our customers. More importantly, they empower us to build trust with the communities we serve, to share our expertise and help the country in building a more resilient Philippines.”
These ISO certifications support PLDT’s thrust for industry-leading operational excellence, and enhanced stakeholder confidence, and also align with the Group’s commitment to adopt the highest standards of occupational health and safety and environmental performance, fortifying its operational focus on employee welfare, customer experience, and sustainability.
These efforts also underscore the PLDT Group’s commitment to helping the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly on UN SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth and UN SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and help boost the government’s overall thrust to digitalize the nation, narrow the digital divide, and bring the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country.