Nine cooperatives in the Visayas region have started to benefit from the partnership of Smart and Aboitiz Foundation, aimed at enabling small businesses’ digital capacities.
“This will serve as their starting point for their new business and will pave the way for them to become a progressive and innovative cooperative,” said Aboitiz Foundation President and COO Maribeth L. Marasigan. “Our support does not end here, the Aboitiz Foundation together with Smart will continue to guide and assist you through training or mentoring so that we can further develop your business.”
Under this endeavor, 19 beneficiaries nationwide have received a “Digiskarte Package,” which includes Smart SIM cards, LTE handsets, retailer kit with load wallets, customized store signage, and other freebies. An ICT Training will also be provided to coop leaders and members to guide them on the proper utilization of digital space to develop their livelihood.
“This partnership makes the products and services of Smart more relevant and accessible to cooperative groups. Through our partnership with Aboitiz, we hope to enrich the lives of coop members and become a platform for faster, more efficient business transactions as we digitize day-to-day coop operations,” said Antonette Orpilla, Senior Manager of Smart Communities Marketing & Development.
One of the recipients of the Digiskarte Package is Sagip Multipurpose Cooperative (SMC) which was named one of the most progressive cooperatives in Visayas. “We are lucky that we are part of this program of Smart and Aboitiz. We promise to use this Digital Package to further develop our cooperative,” said Irene Coremo, General Manager of SMC.
Apart from SMC, the following cooperatives have also received a Digiskarte Package from Smart and Aboitiz Foundation: Uling Multipurpose Cooperative, Paknaan Multipurpose Cooperative, Association of Concerned Cubacanos for Environmental Sustainability and Sanitation, Inc., San Roques Multipurpose Cooperative, Cabancalan Urban Poor & Resettlement Multipurpose Cooperative, Rural Settler Multipurpose Cooperative, Cobcawa Multipurpose Cooperative, and Cambinocot Multipurpose Cooperative.
With this partnership with Aboitiz, Smart furthers the development of cooperatives by encouraging sustainable actions through technology, underscoring its commitment to fulfill the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, particularly Goal 1 – No Poverty and Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. (Press Release)
