By Catherine Cueto

Integrated network company PLDT Inc. (PLDT) reinforced their fiber connectivity in Palawan by adding more than 500 kilometers of submarine fiber cable.

In a statement, PLDT said they are boosting their domestic fiber optic network (DFON) across the country, in a bid to bridge the digital divide by making its services more accessible and fostering digital inclusion, particularly for underserved communities.

The additional submarine cables fortify PLDT's existing fiber backbone and enhance the resiliency of PLDT's network in Palawan by providing alternate routes for data traffic and ensuring customer connectivity. 

The statement also said that the latest development is also expected to enhance further PLDT's ability to deliver fast and reliable fiber-powered services to individual customers, families, and businesses in El Nido and the rest of Palawan. 

This will also allow Smart to level up its mobile services, particularly for LTE and 5G, in the area.

Marking such milestone, leaders from PLDT, its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), FiberHome and representatives from the local government attended a cable landing ceremony held at Brgy Sibaltan in El Nido, Palawan.

Present during the ceremonies were LGU representatives led by Arvin Gabayan, barangay captain of Sibaltan, and leaders of indigenous peoples communities in the barangay led by Maharani Apo Remedios Cabral;  PLDT and Smart representatives led by Arnold Gabrinao, VisMin Head of PLDT Fiber Engineering; Erlan Gambalan, Head, Bis, Core and  Transport Network Project; Christian Philip Remigio, Head of PLDT FOC Project Management; James Gregorio, Head of Consumer Business Fulfillment Sector; Ken Alvarez, Head, GMM South/West Home Sales; Victor Dizon, Senior Relationship Manager, PLDT Enterprise; and FiberHome representatives led by Lisa Li.

IP leader Apo Remedios Cabral is optimistic about having better connectivity in their barangay. 

"With improved internet here in our barangay, we will be able to do live selling and promote our handicrafts to a larger market outside of our tribes," she said.

The latest cable landing at Brgy Sibaltan connects El Nido to Salvacion in Roxas, Palawan. This is the latest of recently laid cable links in the province.

The other segments connect Brgy New Agutaya in San Vicente to Brgy Napsan in Puerto Princesa and Brgy Teneguiban in El Nido.

This continuous expansion of PLDT's nationwide fiber infrastructure includes recent submarine cable landings in Bantayan and Camotes Islands in the Visayas and Siargao, Socorro, Dinagat, and Dipolog in Mindanao earlier this year.

"This milestone demonstrates our enduring commitment to connecting more Filipinos with the continued expansion of our fiber infrastructure nationwide despite the inherent challenges of rolling out our network across an archipelago," PLDT Network Head Eric Santiago said. 

"With reinforced fiber links in El Nido and the rest of Palawan, we are able to boost the province's tourism programs as travel returns and the economy reopens in the post-pandemic next normal," he added.