PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless division, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), are offering more than 500,000 free SIM cards across over 170 locations. This effort supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s P5-billion 'JuanSIM ng Bayan' initiative aimed at connecting underserved communities. 


As part of the initiative, the government plans to distribute 4.2 million SIM cards, each offering 25GB of data, across 510 remote locations, which include schools and government offices. In collaboration with leading network operators, this program aims to support approximately 7 million Filipinos.

Smart aims to set up at least 170 sites and distribute nearly 473,000 SIM cards by year's end. At the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), PLDT Chief Operating Officer Butch Jimenez, representing Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, emphasized PLDT’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.

“PLDT has long prioritized connecting underserved communities, most especially schools and universities,” Jimenez said. “We’re proud to be part of this new initiative, which aligns with our company and our Chairman’s vision of improving digital access for all Filipinos. We believe there should be no Filipino left offline.”

Smart Chief Operating Officer Anastacio “Boy” Martirez also highlighted the program’s impact on boosting digital inclusion.

“A SIM card can open doors—to learning, to livelihood, to connectivity, and to a better future,” Martirez said. “This initiative reflects our commitment to making technology accessible to every Filipino, and to make every Filipino thrive in a digital world no matter where they are.”

Since 2022, PLDT and Smart have rolled out 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at 220 public higher education institutions across 60 provinces. They have also aided young learners through the School-in-a-Bag initiative, benefiting over 116,000 students. Furthermore, for over a decade, PLDT and Smart have advocated for the Department of Education-supported CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP). This educational approach improves STEM teaching in public schools, including primary and secondary levels, special education facilities, alternative learning systems, and disaster-affected regions.