PLDT and Smart president and chief executive officer Alfredo S. Panlilio has been recognized as CEO of the Year at the recently concluded Asia Communications Awards, the annual recognition program for outstanding telco players organized by London-based industry publication Total Telecom.

"I share this CEO of the Year honor with my leadership team and our over 17,000-strong workforce at PLDT Group," Panlilio said. "How timely the ACA highlighted our ongoing group-wide transformation, having learned so much as one PLDT and Smart family since we launched it earlier this year. It is a journey that has deepened our commitment to the nation's digital transformation and understanding of PLDT Group's pioneering influence on Philippine society."

Following a panel of judges and industry votes assessment, Total Telecom Managing Director Rob Chambers recognized Panlilio's role in PLDT's the full-year 2021 performance and transformation. "He's led significant improvements in customer experience, market share and profitability.

PLDT's Consolidated Service Revenues grew six percent to P182.1 billion and Home connected a record 1.13 million new fiber customers," Chambers announced during ACA's virtual ceremony.

Total Telecom also lauded landmark social initiatives under Panlilio's leadership, particularly education improvements for over 6,000 students under the School-in-a-Bag program and digital training for over 1,700 farmers.

ACA and its global counterpart, the World Communication Awards, trace their roots back to 1999. PLDT and Smart also bagged nominations under the ACA's Operator of the Year, Crisis Response and Social Contribution categories.