The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), the social outreach arm of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc., has extended support to Cebu Technological University Cebu City Mountain Campus (CTU CCM) through the donation of digital tools, office supplies, and planting kits. Conducted in collaboration with the Cebu Diversified Advocacy Cooperative (CEDACO), the donation forms part of PSF’s nationwide back-to-school initiative.
Supporting an upland learning community
CTU CCM was established to serve young people in the upland communities of Cebu City and has grown into a learning hub for students from across the Visayas and Mindanao. Surrounded by farming communities and eco-tourism sites, the campus offers agriculture-related programs that support local livelihoods and industries.
“Young people have the capacity to shape the future of agriculture, not only through modern technology, but through fresh ideas and a commitment to serve their communities. We hope these resources encourage students to think beyond the classroom and become changemakers who will help us build a more connected and empowered Philippines,” said Ma. Esther O. Santos, president of the PLDT-Smart Foundation.
Aligned with its mission to empower agricultural communities, PSF integrates this advocacy into its education initiatives to encourage young people to play an active role in advancing the agriculture sector and promoting sustainability.
Digital tools for teaching and research
The Agriculture Department of CTU CCM received a laptop containing e-learning materials, a printer, and office supplies to support teaching, research, and student learning. The resources are expected to be particularly useful for students with limited access to digital technology.
“Thank you so much to PSF for donating these supplies to us. This is our first time receiving a donation like this. This is very helpful for our instruction, research, and for our students because most of them do not even have a laptop,” said Alma Rosillo-Magno, PhD, Agriculture Department faculty member at CTU CCM.
PlantSmart kits encourage sustainable farming
PLDT and Smart also donated PlantSmart kits containing vegetable seeds, loam soil, and fertilizers. The kits will support the campus garden while encouraging students to grow their own food and practice sustainable agriculture.
PSF’s back-to-school initiative supports the PLDT Group’s broader efforts to help provide quality education to Filipino children and young people through digital technology. The initiative also aligns with PLDT and Smart’s support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4, which promotes quality education.