PLDT, Smart, TikTok PH fast-track digital upskilling among local farmers and MSMEs, join 6th Bicol Agri Summit

PHOTO: PLDT, Smart, TikTok PH fast-track digital upskilling among local farmers and MSMEs, join 6th Bicol Agri Summit

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PLDT and Smart, together with TikTok Philippines, backed the 6th Bicol Agri Summit, which gathered Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) based in Camarines Sur and neighboring provinces. 

“We believe that technology can be a powerful tool for economic growth, and we look forward to continuing our meaningful and impactful work with TikTok Shop to help MSMEs nationwide reach a wider audience and boost their sales,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart. 

Highlighting the vital role of technology in empowering Filipino MSMEs, the PLDT Group showcased its ‘eBiznovation’ initiative, a digital upskilling-to-ecommerce program that aims to provide local entrepreneurs, including those in the agricultural and fishery sector, with the right digital tools to help them grow their businesses online.  

PLDT and Smart also promoted the homegrown ‘Buy Local Bazaar’ program, which educates local MSMEs to boost their income and increase their market reach by putting them on e-commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop.  

“I would like to learn online selling and have access to an e-commerce platform so we can sell our products better,” said Maria Paloma, a vegetable farmer and President of the Planza High Value Crops Planters Association of San Fernando, Camarines Sur. “I am glad that PLDT and Smart are offering this program, and I look forward to learning more.”

The three-day 6th Bicol Agri Summit was organized by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CSCCI), with PLDT Enterprise as one of its major sponsors. The event, also supported by the Department of Agriculture and the local government of Camarines Sur, featured live technical discussions from various agricultural stakeholders and trade exhibits featuring local products.  

“Accessing online tools has been challenging for our farmers. We want to address this through this summit and assist our local agricultural and fishery sectors keep up with technology,” said Ramon Dy, CSCCI President.

The PLDT Group continuously finds ways to promote inclusive technologies that can help boost livelihood opportunities among farmers and fisherfolk, leaving no one behind. The eBiznovation program also highlights the PLDT Group’s support to the government’s Go Digital Pilipinas Movement as a founding member of the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the Private Sector Advisory Council, which seeks to uplift the lives of Filipinos through adoption of digital services.