PLDT Inc (PLDT)’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and PLDT Clark Telecom Inc (Clarktel) are teaming up with Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for the upcoming Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) Conference.
Under the partnership, PLDT Clarktel and Smart will provide internet connectivity for MICECON CLARK 2024, which will be held on July 10 to 12.
Leading the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were CDC President and CEO Atty Agnes VST Devanadera, Smart FVP and Group Head, Regional Customer Development-Luzon Hoyle Raul Disuanco and PLDT Clarktel President John Gonzales.
Also present at the signing ceremonies were Atty. Pamela B. Felizarta, Department Head/Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Joint Strategic Operations at Smart; Joselito Mercado, Chief Operations Officer, PLDT Clarktel; CDC Board of Directors Atty. Maricris Ang-Carlos, Atty. Pablo de Borja, Atty. Manuel Feliciano; and other CDC executives.
“We are happy that we are having this proactive and strategic partnership. We are dreaming that on our parks, we have the connectivity when people come,” Devanadera said.
“This partnership is a testament to our longstanding collaboration with the CDC to ensure that we are able to support the connectivity needs of participants and exhibitors at the MICECON, and of businesses and offices in CDC on the whole,” Gonzales said.
“We are happy to have this MOA as it provides us an opportunity to intensify our level of engagement with the CDC and be involved more strategically in terms of planning their communication needs,” Disuanco said. “We look forward to working together toward the common objective of providing meaningful connections across Clark.”
Last year, Smart also signed lease agreements covering telco facilities inside CDC, boosting connectivity for enterprises and other locators in the area.
This initiative is in line with the PLDT Group’s drive to empower communities and enable the creation of smart cities through meaningful innovation, a fundamental part of its overall support for the government’s digitalization push. It also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.