PLDT's Madiskarte Moms PH Program Honored at UN Sustainable Development Goals Awards

PLDT Inc., the Philippines' biggest telecom network, received recognition at the 3rd United Nations Global Compact Network Philippines' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Awards for its Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) initiative.

The SDG Awards acknowledge companies and initiatives making exceptional contributions to sustainable development, focusing on the Planet, Prosperity, and People. MMPH was commended for fostering digital inclusion among women, advocating for decent work and economic growth, and aiding the recovery of small businesses.

Melissa Vergel de Dios, FVP and Head of Investor Relations and Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart, expressed joy at the recognition, emphasizing PLDT's commitment to embedding sustainability and promoting digital inclusion for sustainable development.

MMPH, which stands for "resourceful moms," is an online community established by PLDT Home in September 2020, comprising Filipino mom entrepreneurs (mompreneurs).

During the pandemic peak, approximately 33% of Filipino women lost their jobs. MMPH played a crucial role in creating an active community, assisting women in finding alternative income sources, leveraging digital tools, and exchanging ideas on running home-based and online businesses.

In its three-year journey, MMPH has grown to include 170,000 members, training over 15,000 moms, supporting 75 businesses with digital kits, conducting 11 webinars and masterclasses, and producing 160 educational videos on sustainable and responsible business practices. MMPH also honors outstanding mompreneurs through its Gawad Madiskarte Awards and actively engages in public forums.

Cheryl Maxine Loyola, Assistant Vice President at PLDT Home Marketing, PR, Influencer Management, and Brand Advocacies, stated the goal is to upskill Filipino moms, helping them start and grow home-based businesses while providing access to digital solutions.

PLDT Home and MMPH persist in supporting mompreneurs to rise above poverty, believing that women can achieve financial security by becoming entrepreneurs and empowering their families. MMPH aligns with PLDT and Smart's contributions to UN SDGs, particularly No Poverty, Gender Equality, and Decent Work and Economic Growth. The initiative also fits into PLDT's broader objective of promoting inclusive technologies for Filipinos, ensuring that no one is left behind.