PLDT, Smart Join Government, Industry Partners to Strengthen Push for Streamlined Network Rollout Under EO 32

With connectivity now as essential to daily life as power and water, leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), are strengthening their public and private collaborations to speed up the rollout of network infrastructure, to benefit millions of Filipinos who depend on strong, stable connections for work, learning, and safety.

In partnership with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), National Electrification Administration (NEA), tower companies, and other industry stakeholders, PLDT and Smart recently hosted a joint forum at the PLDT office in Mandaluyong City to discuss Executive Order No. 32 and other regulatory policies aimed at accelerating network deployment and improving digital access nationwide.

Gracing the event were ARTA Director General Ernesto V. Perez and PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Head of Network Menardo G. Jimenez, who urged industry players and government representatives to fully leverage existing regulatory frameworks to remove bottlenecks and enhance connectivity for all Filipinos.

“We already have the laws and policies that can protect and empower us to deliver better service to our countrymen,” said Sec. Perez.

“What we need now is stronger enforcement and collaboration between the government and the private sector. We cannot afford to be left behind by our neighbors. The time to act, and the time to act fast, is now. While we in government are here to serve, we need our partners in the private sector to stand with us and take advantage of these reforms to accelerate progress for our people,” he added.

“The world has shifted. Today, connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” said Jimenez. “The responsibility given to us to speed everything up is huge. That’s why the discussion on EO 32 is so timely, as it empowers us to act decisively while staying compliant with the law. We will use this framework responsibly and collaboratively to improve the services that Filipinos not just want, but truly need.”

EO 32, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, streamlines the permitting process for the construction, repair, and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure.

Atty. Pamela B. Felizarta, Vice President and Department Head for Joint Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs at Smart, highlighted that the PLDT Group’s collaboration with ARTA and other agencies has been instrumental in shaping a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment.

“Since 2019, the PLDT Group has worked closely with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and partners to help shape a regulatory environment that encourages innovation, speeds up the rollout of critical infrastructure, and reduces unnecessary barriers to service delivery,” said Felizarta.

“Today’s event brings together our internal and external stakeholders, including our network teams, tower companies, and valued vendors, to deepen our collective understanding of recent policy reforms. These reforms, achieved in partnership with ARTA, DHSUD, DILG, and NEA, all reflect our shared pursuit of efficient and effective public service, for the benefit of all Filipinos.”

More than 300 participants attended the event, both in-person and online. It was the latest milestone in PLDT's continued engagement with government and industry partners to support policy initiatives and champion digital transformation.

Recently, PLDT and Smart also joined a forum organized by DHSUD to underscore the essential role of HOAs in digital inclusion and ensuring connectivity for all.

PLDT and Smart’s continued support for these policy initiatives underscores their broader commitment to national digital transformation by simplifying processes and harmonizing local regulations, helping ensure that every Filipino community can benefit from fast, reliable, and resilient connectivity.

More than connectivity, these initiatives also drive technology-enabled education, livelihood, and disaster resilience in communities across the country. Advancing digital access and infrastructure also helps bridge socioeconomic divides and build a more future-ready Philippines.

These efforts are in line with the PLDT Group’s mission to deliver meaningful connections that uplift lives and empower every Filipino, and its support for the government’s overall digitalization and nation-building agenda.