Telecom giants PLDT and Smart, along with non-profit ATRIEV, teamed up to provide an eight-day digital business training program for people with disabilities in Mandaue City, Cebu. This initiative is part of their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program, which aims to bridge the digital divide for underprivileged groups.
The training equipped 27 participants with essential skills to grow their businesses online. They learned about digital tools and applications, e-commerce platforms, social media marketing, content creation, and internet safety. Additionally, they received an introduction to the Maya Business App, a tool for managing finances digitally.
This program empowers persons with disabilities to participate in the digital economy, creating a more inclusive business landscape. Lailane H. Go, from Smart, commended the participants' dedication and highlighted PLDT and Smart's commitment to supporting them through IDEATe.
One beneficiary, Helen Ortega, expressed her appreciation for the training, which provided valuable skills to enhance her small business. Dr. Michael Allan O. Pielago, head of Mandaue City's PDAO, also applauded the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of empowering people with disabilities.
PLDT and Smart's initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 8 and 10, promoting decent work and economic growth while reducing inequalities. Their IDEATe program's recognition as a finalist at the prestigious GLOMO Awards further underscores its impact.
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