PLDT Group backs 2022 National Elections poll watch

PLDT, together with wireless unit Smart and ICT unit ePLDT, affirmed its support to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), extending connectivity facilities, communications, and ICT services to the PPCRV-KBP Command Center for the National and Local Elections 2022.

PLDT FVP and Enterprise Revenue Group Head Victor Y. Tria, PLDT FVP Group Corporate Communications Head Cathy Yap-Yang, and Smart VP and Enterprise Customer Operations Management Head Raymund Rivadelo, joined PPCRV Chairman Myla Villanueva, KBP Chairman Jun Nicdao, Comelec Chairman Saidaman Pangarungan, UST Secretary General Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, OP, AMA Chairman Dr. Amable Aguiluz, and former PPCRV Chair Amb. Henrietta De Villa in the official opening of its command center set up in Manila.

These services include high-speed fiber and data servers in their command center hosted in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion, and Smart mobile handsets, SIMs and load credits for its personnel and volunteers.

By providing these critical services to PPCRV, PLDT, Smart, and ePLDT are helping PPCRV in its poll-watching functions during the course of the elections. It ensures that the public, especially media and other parties, are able to monitor in real-time the “unofficial” election results being transmitted and received via the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Transparency servers.

PLDT FVP and Enterprise Revenue Group Head Victor Y. Tria, PLDT FVP and Group Corporate Communications Head Cathy Yap-Yang, and Smart VP and Enterprise Customer Operations Management Head Raymund Rivadelo, joined PPCRV Chairman Myla Villanueva, KBP Chairman Jun Nicdao, Comelec Chairman Saidaman Pangarungan, UST Secretary General Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, OP, AMA Chairman Dr. Amable Aguiluz, and former PPCRV Chair Amb. Henrietta De Villa in the official opening of its command center set up in Manila.

"Over the years, PLDT and Smart have strongly supported the credible institutions that enable Filipinos to exercise their right to vote. Through its telecommunications services, the PLDT Group commits to provide the necessary support in keeping Filipinos empowered and informed as part of its efforts toward nation-building," said Tria.

"We and our volunteers are grateful for all the support the PLDT Group has provided throughout our journey. Their support is very meaningful, in our difficult task and mission," said Villanueva.

Earlier this year, Smart provided PPCRV with logistical support to engage and empower more youth volunteers across the country. It set up a dedicated mobile hotline for PPCRV, turned over mobile phones, and committed prepaid load assistance to the elections watchdog, as well as donated over 390,000 shirts, which will serve as the official identity shirts of PPCRV volunteers.

The PLDT Group enables the country through its delivery of innovative and relevant technology and services to customers, enterprises, and the public sector both through fixed and mobile. It currently operates the most extensive fiber network in the country spanning 803,000 kilometers delivering connectivity and links the country to the rest of the world.

These efforts are in line with the commitment of PLDT and Smart to help the country attain the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UNSDG 16 which calls for strong institutions.