Optical & Fixed Networks

PLDT gets indigenous support for subsea cable project in Palawan

PLDT gets indigenous support for subsea cable project in Palawan
PLDT representatives led by Arvin L. Siena, PLDT VP for network design and engineering (fourth from left) at the signing ceremony with members of the Tagbanua-Central ICC in Napsan, Palawan

Philippine telco PLDT announced on Tuesday that three indigenous cultural communities (ICC) representing the Tagbanua in Palawan province have given the green light to a subsea cable project designed to boost the telco's network resiliency for the island.

The Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project has been cleared to proceed after PLDT and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) signed two Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) – one with the Tagbanua Central ICC in Napsan and another with Tagbanua Calamian ICC in Busuanga.

PLDT and the NCIP are expected to sign another MoA with the Tagbanua Tandulanen ICC in Sibaltan, El Nido next month.

Under the MoAs, PLDT has committed to recognize and protect indigenous peoples’ rights and continue to adhere to cultural, social, and environmental safeguards as it deploys the subsea cable.

Led by PLDT's Network team, the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project aims to enhance the reliability, resiliency and capacity of PLDT's network across the province by adding more subsea cable routes.

“Through network resiliency and expansion projects in critical areas like Palawan, we can help bridge connectivity gaps, improve network reliability, and ensure that even far-flung communities are able to reap the benefits of the internet with no island left offline,” said Menardo G. Jimenez, PLDT’s COO and network head.



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