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Tag: PLDT

  • PLDT secures a Green Loan for fiber upgrade and expansion  

    PLDT secures a Green Loan for fiber upgrade and expansion  

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    The Philippines’ leading integrated telecommunications network PLDT Inc. secured a PHP1.0bn Green Loan facility from HSBC Philippines (HSBC) to partially fund the ongoing nationwide modernization and expansion of its fiber network supporting internet delivery platforms such as fiber fixed broadband, mobile data services, and carrier-grade WiFi.  

    This is HSBC’s first green loan facility to a Philippine-based telecom company.  

    The intended use of loan proceeds aligns with the Green Loan Principles, specifically on achieving energy efficiency. Studies show that compared with previous technologies,  fiber cables generate less heat and no longer require cooling systems, thus, very minimal energy is lost to the environment. 

    The upgrade of the network to fiber and the resultant efficient operations support the PLDT Group decarbonization roadmap that aims to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2  greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, coming from a 2019 baseline. To support this ambitious target, the group is actively exploring the integration of renewables, green technologies, and various energy optimization initiatives. 

    Danny Yu, chief financial officer and chief risk management officer, of PLDT Inc. said,  “The availability of sustainable financing facilities will help PLDT’s commitment to ensuring long-term profitability by doing business responsibly. We are pleased to start  this journey with HSBC and anticipate further expanding our sustainable financing  portfolio with other sustainability projects.” 

    “PLDT’s first-ever Green Loan facility is an affirmation that our efforts to pursue the twin goals of energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions are appreciated and supported by the financial community. We are thankful to HSBC for helping PLDT carry out our commitment of stewardship of the planet for the next generation,” said chief sustainability officer Melissa Vergel De Dios. 

    As of end-December 2023, the company has over 1.1 million cable kilometers of fiber infrastructure, consisting of over 0.2 million cable kilometers of international fiber and over 0.9 million cable kilometers of domestic fiber; further narrowing the digital divide; enabling a fast and reliable internet experience for its customers.  

    The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has expressed its intention to vigorously promote the adoption of sustainable finance principles within the domestic banking system as part of its advocacy against environmental degradation as established at the 26th United  Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26). 

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    Gadgets Magazine 17

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  • PLDT-Smart launch FarmTech kit for farmers

    PLDT-Smart launch FarmTech kit for farmers

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    Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), have launched FarmTech, an initiative that aims to provide tech access to farmers, especially in far-flung areas, enabling them to harness technology in pursuit of livelihood.

    As part of its Digital Farmers Program (DFP), PLDT and Smart’s award-winning digital inclusion program for farmers in partnership with DA, the telco launched FarmTech, a tech-driven farmers training kit designed to empower and equip farmer groups and agri-coops in their digital literacy training programs for their farmer members even those in remote areas.

    Receiving the very first FarmTech packages were two affiliate farm groups, Myriad Farms of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, and Samahan ng mga Pangulo ng Magsasaka of Morong, Rizal. 

    Each FarmTech package includes a tablet, 10 smartphones, a Smart Bro Pocket Wifi with Smart Prepaid load cards, an outdoor projector and projector screen, a rechargeable portable sound system, a flash drive containing multimedia learning resources and apps, and DA-ATI learning materials. 

    “There are a lot of apps and digital solutions we can tap and integrate into the DFP. With the help of PLDT and Smart, these can now reach the farthest corners of the Philippines,” said DA-ATI Director Remelyn R. Recoter, adding that she is hopeful that FarmTech would play a key role in encouraging farmers to use technology in their livelihood.

    Enabling the digitalization of farmers is PLDT and Smart’s integrated fixed and wireless networks across the country. “We at PLDT and Smart continue to invest in our infrastructure to provide meaningful connections to Filipinos across the country, furthering our livelihood and digital inclusion advocacies, especially for the agricultural sector,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

    “Hand-in-hand with our partners from DA-ATI, we hope to achieve our vision, which is to enable the digital transformation of farmer groups and agri coops all over the country to build a truly digitally-enabled agriculture sector,” she added.

    Part of PLDT and Smart’s long-standing partnership with DA-ATI, FarmTech is the latest addition to DFP, which was established by the PLDT Group and DA-ATI in 2019 to make technology and digital solutions more accessible to Filipino farmers. 

    Even as a country that relies heavily on its agricultural sector, Filipino farmers are among the most commonly marginalized in terms of economics and technology, as many are located in rural areas and unable to pursue further education. Aging farmers also tend to be tech-averse, preferring old-school touchpad phones over smartphones.

    Empowering farming communities through digital tools and mobile technologies towards #SustainableAgriculture and #InclusiveGrowth is a key priority of DFP. PLDT and Smart’s efforts to promote inclusive technologies that can help boost livelihood opportunities among farmers and fisherfolk also highlight the Group’s support for the government’s overall digitalization thrust.

    This also aligns with the Group’s efforts to help the country achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially UNSDG #1 (No Poverty) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

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    Gadgets Magazine 17

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