Karding-hit farmers regain lost livelihood through PLDT, Smart ‘Buy Local’ program

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in partnership with social enterprise and e-commerce platform Cropital, recently turned over ‘Buy Local’ sustainability fund to farming communities in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan.

“PLDT and Smart's connectivity aims to bring technology closer to farmers with the help of our 'Buy Local' partner, Cropital. This digital platform also enables us to offer fresh and affordable local produce to our employees," said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

‘Buy Local’ is one of PLDT and Smart’s home-grown advocacies on livelihood that aims to help provide farmers with a sure market for their crops. Through ‘Buy Local’, harvested produce from partner farming communities are sold to PLDT and Smart’s employees at a more reasonable cost, generating more profits. Part of the sales will eventually go to a sustainability fund lent to other farmers as low-interest loans to help augment the cost of farming inputs. 

PLDT and Smart turned over sustainability fund to support the farming inputs of 62 farmers in the communities of Jaen and Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, 35 farmers in San Ildefonso, Bulacan and 18 farmers in Pangasinan under the ‘Buy Local’ program. To date, PLDT and Smart have raised more than two million pesos to provide as capital support to more than 200 farmers nationwide.

Last September, super typhoon ‘Karding’ ravaged Nueva Ecija and damaged farming communities, including Jaen and Cabiao. Expressing their gratitude for ‘Buy Local’, farmers shared their recent experience.

“Due to flooding, we also lost a large portion of our profits. This fund can help us jumpstart our recovery and lessen the costs of fertilizers and seeds. We're thankful for PLDT and Smart for reaching a far-flung community like ours,” said Simplicio de Leon of Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

Jocelyn Sampang of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija also added, “PLDT and Smart gave us hope. Despite what we’ve been through due to Karding, we can begin again and carry on with our livelihood.”

“Let us continue farming and stay strong. With partners like PLDT and Smart, we can get through this,” a reminder from Wilson Calma of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.

PLDT and Smart, through ‘Buy Local’, remain committed to helping boost the livelihood of farming communities and eventually uplift the quality of the lives of Filipino farmers. This is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly No Poverty (SDG 1), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8).