PLDT, Smart achieve new certifications for Business Continuity, boosting resilient facilities nationwide

Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have added new international certifications, boosting the Group's industry leadership in Business Continuity Management System (BCMS).

PLDT and Smart garnered new ISO 22301:2019 certifications covering two new sites in Davao, pushing the Group's total ISO certifications for BCMS to 24 sites.

“These certifications are a testament to the company's commitment to providing continuous and quality services to our subscribers, while at the same time ensuring the well-being and safety of the employees involved in providing these services during disasters and crises,” said Atty. Oliver Carlos G. Odulio, Enterprise Business Continuity and Resilience Office (BCRO) Head at PLDT and Smart.

“In line with the PLDT Group’s commitment to embedding sustainability in the business, we are institutionalizing adaptation strategies to capacitate the organization and mitigate physical risks arising from climate change.  These ISO certifications are proof that we are serious and determined to provide services to our customers, not only during good times but more importantly, when they need it the most, such as during times of disaster,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer.

 

“We believe that the more our people can adopt the ISO mindset, the better our operations will be. This in turn would translate to better customer service,” said Anthony Gaba, head of International and Core Network Operations at PLDT.

 

To facilitate and ensure world-class customer experience through reliable and resilient operations, the PLDT Group established a pervasive resiliency framework through ISO 22301:2019, which enables the company to consistently prevent, minimize, and recover from disruptive incidents while mitigating financial and reputational impact across its critical facilities and operations nationwide.

 

As part of the certification process, PLDT and Smart are also currently conducting training to kick off the ISO certification rounds of additional sites in the Visayas for this year’s new site, boosting the company's nationwide roster of internationally certified critical network facilities, as well as conducting Business Continuity awareness programs that include personal and family preparedness in times of emergencies.

 

“Also part of this commitment is our continuous drive to upskill PLDT and Smart employees across the country, equipping them with business continuity know-how, not just to aid the certification process, but also to impart the importance of preparedness in their respective homes and communities.

 

Together, we are helping build a resilient Philippines,” said Odulio, adding that the kickoff events also lay the foundation for collaboration, communication, and commitment between concerned business units and BCRO, which are essential to the certification process.

 

Over the past eight years, PLDT and Smart’s BCRO have led the pursuit of these quality standardization measures to support the company’s thrust for resiliency, industry-leading operational excellence, and enhanced stakeholder confidence.

 

These initiatives also align with PLDT Group’s commitment to supporting the Philippine government's overall digitalization thrust and the country's attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.