PLDT and Smart Showcase Homegrown Solution at the UN Global Compact Event in NYC

The Philippines’ largest fully integrated telecommunications company, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its mobile unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) represented the country at the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Leaders Summit 2025 - Sustainable Development Goals Innovation Pitch Showcase held recently in New York City. The Philippines was one of 15 countries that were featured.

PLDT and Smart presented an in-house innovation that integrates localized mapping of natural hazards and remote monitoring of network facilities into a single visual dashboard, enabling proactive service maintenance and reducing network downtime, while also promoting the safety of employees and customer communities.

For the fourth consecutive year in 2025, the Philippines topped the WorldRiskIndex, with the country continuing to face threats of climate change and extreme weather events, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. Recognizing how these significantly impact customers, local communities, and the national economy, PLDT and Smart are continuously fortifying their network infrastructure and championing innovations to support the country’s ecosystems for disaster preparedness, response, and resilience.

A testament to these is PLDT and Smart’s homegrown innovation developed by PLDT Network Facilities Management Officer-in-Charge for Mindanao Cluster Ralph John Suyman and Smart Senior Environment, Health, and Safety Specialist, Gabriel Elopre, and presented at the UNGC stage by PLDT Environment, Social, and Governance Data Analyst Erich Stephen Lagura with the Corporate Sustainability Office.

The solution harnesses Artificial Intelligence to automate assessment of impact of natural hazards on PLDT and Smart facilities, and makes use of Internet-of-Things for 24/7 remote monitoring with alert capabilities, and generation of employee reports on conditions of network equipment.

In his presentation to the UNGC, Lagura described how the Philippines has been experiencing climate change and highlighted the importance of connectivity in making the country resilient to disasters. He explained how PLDT and Smart’s integrated solution helps ensure the continuous delivery of services and support network engineers who serve as among the first responders after every disaster to immediately restore connectivity.

“During disasters, our services help keep people safe and businesses running, and support relief operations,” said Lagura. “In good times and in bad – connectivity is a lifeline. And so, our job is to continuously deliver connectivity, especially when Filipinos need it the most.”

PLDT and Smart are eyeing to expand deployment of the integrated solution to cover more typhoon-prone and hard-to-reach facilities by the end of the year, as well as unlock more capabilities and pursue partnerships with local government units to reinforce disaster response programs.

This integrated solution is PLDT and Smart’s official entry to the UNGC SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals. For five months, PLDT and Smart’s young innovators Suyman, Elopre, and Lagura participated in the local run of the SDG Innovation Accelerator by the UN Global Compact Network Philippines, crafting solutions that both address real business challenges and advance the SDGs.

PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan commended the young innovators, emphasizing that their work reflects PLDT and Smart’s purpose of inspiring innovation and meaningful connections through generations. “This achievement is proof that our people, especially our young talents, are helping build a more resilient PLDT and Smart — one that is ready to face the challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Pangilinan.

PLDT is a member of the local chapter of the UNGC – the Global Compact Network Philippines, one of 70 Global Compact Local Networks that provide a platform for participating companies and non-business stakeholders to advance the UNGC and its principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption at the local level.

These endeavors align with PLDT and Smart’s continuing contribution to the UN SDGs, particularly Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 13 on Climate Action.