MANILA, PHILIPPINES — PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently pledged their commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the inaugural meeting organized by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
PLDT and Smart are the only telecommunication companies that have been invited by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to join the NEDA-led Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon made a presentation on ‘The World We Want in 2030 to Achieve the AmBisyon Natin 2040’ while Donald James Gawe, Executive Director of Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, led the chamber’s members in the pledging ceremony.
“It’s a huge honor for PLDT and Smart to be invited by NEDA to be part of a group that aims to create a meaningful impact in the country’s journey towards sustainability. Our membership in the chamber dovetails with the company’s focus of embedding sustainability in the business, anchored on our purpose of connecting and empowering Filipinos everywhere digitally. It is also aligned with the objective of being stewards of the planet for the next generation,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Investor Relations, who will also act as PLDT and Smart’s permanent representative to the chamber. Rhea Dienzo, PLDT Assistant Vice President and Sustainability Executive, will be her alternate.
Aligning with the United Nation’s thrust of ‘Leave No One Behind,’ NEDA has envisioned the Stakeholder’s Chamber as a venue to promote understanding, develop ownership, and facilitate the emergence of well-aligned partnerships for the achievement of the SDGs. The members represent local government organizations, academic institutions, business groups, trade unions, youth organizations, and other groups working on SDGs, as well as representatives from the basic and vulnerable sectors.
The chamber creates an opportunity for engagement between government and non-government agencies and organizations on how to efficiently manage resources and to coordinate programs that will help the Philippines attain the SDGs.
