Smart connects underserved areas in Cebu, Bukidnon and Cotabato

Details: John Tanner; Category: Operators; 11 November 2026; 352 views

PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications said on Monday it has rolled out three new cell sites to connect geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) in Cebu, Bukidnon and Cotabato.

The new sites – all of which were deployed and activated last month – cover the barangays of Cansuje in Argao, Cebu; Cacaon in Talakag, Bukidnon; and Lampayan in Matalam, Cotabato.

Smart said the initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), local government units (LGUs), and community partners.

Apart from lighting up mobile connectivity in those communities, the initiative also included programmes designed to help residents make practical use of digital services, including the Philippine government’s Bayanihan SIM programme and the Smart School-in-a-Bag Program that provides underserved schools with technology-enabled learning tools and digital resources.

“Connectivity can make a real difference in people's lives, especially in communities where access has long been a challenge,” said Blums Pineda, senior VP and head of the enterprise business group at PLDT and Smart. “For a student, it can mean more opportunities to learn. For a family, it means staying connected. And for local communities, it opens doors to essential services and new opportunities.”