Thousands of barangays that have long been left off the connectivity map are finally getting their turn to go online. PLDT is ramping up efforts to extend internet access to over 3,500 unserved communities across the Philippines — including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) — through coordinated efforts with key government agencies.
The telco is working closely with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to accelerate network deployment in underserved areas. The goal: to make reliable internet a reality for communities where online learning, digital government services, and economic opportunities have remained out of reach.
Building on Years of Regulatory Reform
This push for rural connectivity is not PLDT’s first government collaboration. Since 2019, PLDT and Smart have worked alongside the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), DILG, DICT, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and local government units to cut through the red tape that has historically slowed down telco infrastructure rollouts.
Those efforts paid off in 2023, when President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 32, which institutionalized streamlined permitting processes for the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications and internet infrastructure nationwide. The order effectively removed bureaucratic bottlenecks that had delayed tower builds and network expansions for years.
PLDT is also a key player in the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), where it has consistently advocated for regulatory reforms that enable more inclusive connectivity. The Group’s active involvement across government channels signals a long-term commitment that goes beyond infrastructure — it’s about shaping policy that benefits all Filipinos.
What This Means for Filipinos
For families living in remote barangays, getting connected means more than just having Wi-Fi. It opens doors to online education for students who’ve had to make do without e-learning resources, enables local businesses to tap into the digital economy, and makes government services like health consultations and civil registration more accessible.
With PLDT and Smart continuing to invest in network expansion and enhancement, the digital divide between urban centers and the countryside is set to narrow further. And with government-backed streamlining of permits and regulations, the pace of deployment is only expected to pick up.