Bringing Reliable Connectivity to More Communities: Eastern Communications Furthers its Reach in Mindanao

Eastern Communications, the Philippines’ pioneer telecommunications and ICT solutions provider, continues its mission to bridge the digital divide by officially expanding its services in two key cities in Mindanao: General Santos City and Dipolog City. Through its signature Via Eastern launch events, the telco celebrates its growing presence in Southern and Western Mindanao—empowering local communities, driving innovation, and supporting regional growth.

Eastern Communications Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan said, “We’re excited to officially launch our services in General Santos and Dipolog, and to expand to more areas across Mindanao. Our presence in these key digital cities reflects Eastern Communications’ continued mission to transform how businesses in manufacturing, retail, IT-BPM, and MSME sectors operate, helping them better serve their communities and drive inclusive progress across the cities. By equipping enterprises of all sizes with reliable connectivity and future-ready ICT solutions, we’re building a digital foundation that empowers communities, fuels regional economies, and drives long-term, inclusive development.”

Empowering General Santos: The Tuna Capital of the Philippines

On August 12, Eastern Communications marked its official entry into General Santos City with a launch held at the Grand Summit Hotel. General Santos continues to rise as a vital hub for trade and innovation, taking the spot as the 15th most competitive city in the country and 3rd among highly urbanized cities in Mindanao in the 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).

“This partnership opens new doors for our businesses, government, and communities, allowing us to connect better, work smarter, and innovate faster. We look forward to collaborating with Eastern Communications in building a more inclusive, progressive and future-ready GenSan,” said General Santos City Councilor Michael Pacquiao.

General Santos City or GenSan is home to six of the nation’s seven tuna canneries and employs over 200,000 individuals and serves as a key driver of the Philippines’ fishery exports. To support this thriving industrial hub, the government-led Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) has initiated the rehabilitation of the General Santos Fish Port Complex, further strengthening the city’s vital contribution to the industry.

Eastern’s expansion brings advanced digital solutions tailored to support key local industries, including manufacturing, retail, MSMEs, tourism, agriculture, and the growing IT-BPM sector.

With business-grade connectivity services like Eastern Fiber 1 and Internet Direct Service (IDS), local enterprises benefit from fast, secure, and scalable internet, essential for boosting productivity and meeting global business standards to stay competitive in international markets.

For the agricultural sectors in Mindanao, consistent enterprise-grade internet is critical to support agritech applications such as cloud-based platforms, agricultural robotics, and automated machinery, helping farmers monitor crops, predict weather, and grow more successful harvests.

Meanwhile, for the region’s canning companies and smart manufacturing, business-grade internet is no longer optional, it’s a necessity for meeting international standards, achieving global competitiveness, and expanding to global markets. Reliable, high-speed connectivity enables real-time inventory tracking, smart aquaculture operations, seamless coordination across production lines, and efficient logistics and export operations such as blockchain-based traceability systems.

Unlocking Digital Growth in Dipolog: The Gateway to Western Mindanao

On July 22, Eastern Communications held its launch at D’Hotel & Suites in Dipolog City, capital of Zamboanga del Norte. Known as the “Gateway to Western Mindanao,” Dipolog is quickly emerging as a business hub, powered by growing tourism, trade, and logistics infrastructure. In the 2024 CMCI rankings, Zamboanga del Norte climbed to 47th in economic dynamism nationwide, with Dipolog retaining its title as the Most Competitive Component City in Region 9.

“In this fast-paced, digital age, connectivity is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. Reliable communication bridges communities, empowers businesses, and connects our people to a wider world of possibilities. With Eastern Communications now part of our local landscape, we are assured of better access to technology and services that will help our communities thrive and compete,” said Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Governor DareI Uy.

“This development reflects a shared belief that “Bag-ong Zanorte” is ready for the future. Let this launch be a reminder to all of us that progress is best achieved when we work hand in hand-government, private sector, and the community. Together, we can ensure that no Zanortehanon is left out of the opportunities that the digital age brings,” added Governor Uy.

Driving Inclusive Progress Through Connectivity

While over 50 million Filipinos are now online, regions in Mindanao still face gaps in internet access. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that internet connectivity in Mindanao remains low, with only 28.5% of households in the Zamboanga Peninsula being connected. This highlights the urgent need to expand internet infrastructure as a foundation for meaningful digital transformation in the region. Eastern Communications is working to bridge this gap by establishing strong digital foundations and has connected key Mindanao areas, including Davao, Zamboanga, Butuan, and Cagayan de Oro. Backed by its recent network infrastructure expansion, the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), Eastern continues to build digital resilience and drive inclusive growth in the country, one city at a time.

As part of its Mindanao expansion, Eastern Communications is now equipping enterprises in General Santos and Dipolog with future-ready digital tools, helping fuel inclusive growth, strengthen industries, and prepare communities for a more connected tomorrow.