PLDT, Smart join link up with PBSP for nationwide Brigada Eskwela 2024

As schools re-open to Filipino learners, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently backed the Philippine Business for Social (PBSP) “Ready for School 2024” initiative. This year, more than 50 PLDT and Smart employees from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao signed up to volunteer.

Maye Rubio, Vice President for Organization Planning & Optimization at PLDT and Smart, shared, “We believe in the power of community and the impact of giving back. By participating in this initiative, we not only support education but also foster teamwork and a sense of purpose among our employees.”

At Felipe Calderon Elementary School in Davao City, Zapatera Elementary School in Cebu City, and Rajah Soliman Science and Technology High School in Manila, employee-volunteers enjoyed wrapping books and painting chairs to be used by the students for the upcoming academic year. For Desiree Espiritu, Sr. Asset Protection Specialist at PLDT, and Joy Legaspi of Consumer Credit Management at Smart, joining the activity was their way to give back to the community.

Khairon-Niza Magundacan, PBSP CSR Manager, shared, “We thank all of you for responding to the call of our education sector. Through our collective action, we can all contribute to hopefully solve the educational challenges our country continues to face.” PBSP’s Ready for School 2024 supports the annual nationwide Brigada Eskwela program led by the Department of Education, which the PLDT Group has long supported as part of its commitment to promoting inclusive and quality education.

“Our school, as a public learning institution situated at the heart of Tondo, caters mostly to learners from marginalized sectors. Thus, the time, effort, and resources shared by compassionate partners like PBSP, PLDT, and Smart are truly a huge help to our learners and teachers,” shared Dominador Caballero, Brigada Eskwela Coordinator of the Rajah Soliman Science and Technology High School.

“The collaborative efforts by PLDT, Smart, PBSP, and other agencies stand as a testament that collective action can go a long way, to help schools’ welcome students with resilient and well-equipped facilities,” added Stephanie V. Orlino, PLDT and Smart AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management.

These initiatives also underscore PLDT and Smart’s commitment to learning continuity and national learning recovery so that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind. This is also aligned with the PLDT group’s efforts to help the country achieve UNSDG 4: Quality Education.