Aboitiz Foundation Inc., and PLDT Inc.'s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. launched Aboitiz Smart Coops Training (Visayas) via Zoom last 2 August. The event was hosted by Joie Cruz, founder and CEO of Limitless Lab, together with Aboitiz Foundation Enterprise Development Program manager Gero Torres and PLDT and Smart Group Corporate Communication Visayas Relations head Marylou Gocotano.
To keep the cooperatives' means of livelihood amid the pandemic, Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, partnered with PLDT Inc.'s wireless subsidiary Smart in conducting digital skills training for "Aboitiz Smart Cooperatives."
The "Aboitiz Smart Coops Training'' is an ICT-based capacity development program to help improve coop members' digital skills and knowledge.
It is part of the Aboitiz Foundation's "Biyaheng Digiskarte Program'' and PLDT and Smart's "Project eBizNovation," both of which promote the use of basic digital tools, such as social media, for more complex services, including e-commerce and online payment systems, and in fostering the development of their micro, small and medium enterprises.
After its initial launch last October 2021, the second leg of the project is the virtual training, dubbed the "Aboitiz Smart Coops Training of Trainers." A total of 63 participants from nine cooperatives in Cebu attended the online event.
"Aboitiz Foundation together with Smart will continue to help and assist you on your journey toward the path of recovery and resilience. We hope that through this training and mentoring, we can further develop your business and help you bounce back better," Aboitiz Foundation president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan said.
The Aboitiz Smart Coops Training covered the following topics: Smartphone basics and identification of the parts, function, and uses of a smartphone; accessing the Internet and performing its tasks and functions; identifying social media and messaging apps and online transaction apps, such as Facebook marketplace; learning Internet safety and practical tips on how to protect themselves from possible scams; and familiarizing themselves with mobile money.
"The Aboitiz Smart Coops is part of PLDT and Smart's eBizNovation Program, which aims to help MSMEs and cooperatives improve their ways and means of livelihood through digital solutions. Through this initiative, we hope to be their partners in recovery and resilience as we guide them in their journey to digital transformation," Marylou Gocotano, PLDT and Smart Group Corporate Communications-Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations head, said.
Aboitiz Foundation and Smart provided training equipment for Aboitiz Smart Coops including Sagip Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The donated Digiskarte packages and kits contain smartphone, Smart Bro pocket WiFi, Smart retailer kits and load wallet.
