Aligned with their thrust to support inclusive initiatives enabling people with disabilities, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in partnership with Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), recently supported the Festival of Talents and Disability Knowledge Bowl Tournament Quiz Bee, hosted by the Office of the Provincial Governor - Office of the Provincial Persons with Disability Affairs Officer (OPG-OPPDAO) of the province of Cavite.

Representatives from the different offices under the Vice Governor, and Board Member from the First District (Chairperson on Social Welfare, Family, Women, Children, and Elderly) also attended the event at SM City Dasmariñas.

For Ace John Mamauag of Cavite State University-Carmona, his participation was a chance for him to showcase his talent and ability and share it with other people with disabilities. He believes that the support from government agencies and firms like PLDT and Smart for this event is important. “We would like to thank them for supporting this kind of program for people with disabilities.”

On the other hand, Gabriel Querubin joined the event to show what people with disabilities can do. “We just need to open our minds to see that everyone has their own ability and creativity that can contribute to the development of this world.” He also says that getting support from the public and private sectors is vital in this advocacy. “We can’t do this alone. We need the support of people to show talents and capabilities,” he added.

OPG-OPPDAO is a team under the Office of the Provincial Governor of Cavite mandated to develop and implement disability programs, services, and policies to support and put forward the rights of people with disabilities. “The support of different organizations is important because it takes a whole-of-nation approach to address the needs of people with disabilities and to promote inclusion. PLDT and Smart’s assistance really added to our resources, helping us highlight the talents of people with disabilities,” said Marie Shiela Haloc, Disability Affairs Officer IV at OPG-OPPDAO.

This partnership is aligned with the PLDT Group’s commitment to helping the country achieve UNSDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.