ASA Philippines & PLDT Smart Foundation Renew Partnership with Innovative Projects

Author: Chaela Ruth B. Alimpuangon
Date: March 21, 2024
On March 20, 2024, we officially renewed our collaboration with the PLDT Smart Foundation (PSF) through a two-year memorandum of agreement (MOA). MD Kamrul Hasan Tarafder, our President and CEO, represented ASA Philippines at the MOA signing with PSF Chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan, at the TV5 Station. This significant partnership was highlighted during a live interview on One News PH. For more on this initiative, watch the full interview here. The MOA highlights three major initiatives: the “Smart School in a Bag,” the “Multimedia Van Project,” and the “Smart Carts.”
The Smart School in a Bag is an innovative learning tool: a backpack equipped with a teacher’s laptop, pocket Wi-Fi, training modules, and ten laptops for children. On the other hand, the Multimedia Van functions like a mobile digital library, equipped with TVs, laptops, and printers. These initiatives aim at bridging the digital gap for underprivileged students, especially in remote areas lacking digital infrastructure.
Our Smart Carts initiative is designed to empower micro-entrepreneurs, particularly women, equipping them with the necessary tools to kickstart small businesses for additional income.
In the words of Sir Kamrul, “This three-program initiative will surely enhance the client’s capacity, their empowerment within the family decision-making, and, of course, their financial independence within the family as well as within the community.” These programs are not limited to metropolises; instead, ASA Philippines is motivated to scale these initiatives and reach remote areas nationwide.
In a gesture that marks a profound shift in our partnership dynamic, ASA Philippines commits PHP10 million to the PLDT Smart Foundation for this year and upcoming years. This commitment is a testament to the evolving relationship between our organizations.
Reflecting on the journey, Sir Kamrul shared, “I mentioned it to MVP this evening. When we started, he gave grants to ASA Philippines. This time it’s actually baliktad. We gave funding to PLDT Smart Foundation so that they will give those program[s] to our clients. Definitely, it’s a mutual and reciprocal this time,” highlighting the maturity and growth of our collaboration.
This remarkable partnership underscores our unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women, their families, and communities. It solidifies our standing as a leading humane microfinance institution. Embarking upon another chapter with the PLDT Smart Foundation, we stand ready to help even more communities and weave more success stories.