The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), the social outreach branch of PLDT and Smart, has teamed up with PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business division, to launch a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on empowering micro-entrepreneurs throughout the Philippines.
This program, named the PSF Smart Cart, aims to equip aspiring business owners with customized vending pedicabs that come with Smart Retailer Kits and Maya Digital Services, providing a complete livelihood solution.
Supporting Entrepreneurs with the ETC Approach
The PSF Smart Carts program follows an innovative approach called "Equip, Train, and Connect" (ETC) to empower business owners. Through this initiative, beneficiaries are provided with customized bike carts tailored to the recipients’ business idea, along with kitchenware and an initial capital fund for supplies. This setup enables them to launch their businesses with the resources they need to succeed.
“Our goal is to provide micro-entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and connectivity necessary to thrive in today’s digital economy,” said Jay Lagdameo, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise. “By partnering with the PLDT-Smart Foundation, we are ensuring that even the smallest MSMEs have the best possible chance to succeed.”
Beyond the physical equipment, the PSF Smart Cart program also includes a series of upskilling opportunities. Beneficiaries will undergo training on essential business practices, Smart Retailer operations, and Maya Digital Services. This training is designed to help small-scale merchants meet market demands, allowing them to operate efficiently and effectively.
In addition, the program’s digital connectivity features are a game-changer. Each Smart Cart is bundled with Smart Retailer Kits and powered by Maya, offering an alternative steady income stream through the sale of prepaid load and other digital services. This setup allows micro-businesses to reach a wider market online, further enhancing their business potential.
“One of PSF’s core pillars is to empower our fellow Filipinos to chart a course towards a better future,” said Esther O. Santos, President of PLDT-Smart Foundation, Inc. “We strive to provide livelihood opportunities especially to those with less access, like our fisherfolk and farmers in the agricultural sector, as well as aspiring micro-entrepreneurs. Our latest initiative, the PSF Smart Carts, offers diverse business opportunities tailored to the beneficiaries’ interests.”
Partnership with ASA Philippines and PLDT Enterprise
This PSF initiative, with the goal to benefit thousands of families and Filipinos nationwide, became a reality through its partnership with ASA Philippines and PLDT Enterprise. Through these collaborations, the PSF Smart Cart program aims to build an empowered, connected, and progressive Philippines, one entrepreneur at a time.
“Through the Smart Carts program and our shared vision with ASA Philippines and PSF, we are committed to supporting the growth of micro-businesses across the country,” added Lagdameo. “This program not only provides livelihood opportunities but also empowers individuals to become successful entrepreneurs who contribute to their communities.”
Celebrating Local Entrepreneurs in Dipolog
Following the successful MSME Day in Dipolog, PLDT Enterprise and PLDT-Smart Foundation selected Irish Christine Correa, a dedicated Fishball and Tempura vendor, as the latest beneficiary of the PSF Smart Cart program. The selection process was meticulously carried out by PLDT and Smart and ASA Philippines, focusing on identifying underprivileged entrepreneurs from indigent families. Irish Christine Correa, like many other small food business operators, now has the opportunity to scale up her business with the support of the PSF Smart Cart.
PLDT Enterprise, together with PLDT and Smart, and partners from USAID, DTI, and ASA Philippines, gather during MSME Day in Dipolog to celebrate local entrepreneurs. The event was highlighted by the awarding of a Smart Cart to Irish Christine Correa, a dedicated Fishball and Tempura vendor, as part of the ongoing commitment to empower small-scale merchants across the Philippines.
The Dipolog MSME Day, much like its predecessor event in Iloilo, was a vibrant celebration of local entrepreneurship, providing a platform for small businesses to learn, network, and grow. Through initiatives like the PSF Smart Carts, PLDT Enterprise and its partners continue to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in underserved communities.
Encouraging Nationwide Participation
The PSF Smart Cart program is another milestone signifying PLDT Enterprise’s continued commitment to driving social change and supporting the livelihood of Filipinos. As the program continues to roll out across the nation, more micro-entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate and take advantage of this unique opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families.
In line with this, committed to doing business responsibly, PLDT Enterprise and the PLDT-Smart Foundation are dedicated to contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. Through the Smart Carts initiative, they aim to empower microentrepreneurs by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities, fostering economic growth, and ensuring inclusive and productive employment for all.