Arvin L. Siena, PLDT Vice President for Network Design and Engineering, joins Kamaulangan Nelson Biennes, Tribal Affairs Assistant 1, during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing for the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project, reinforcing PLDT’s partnership with the Tagbanua Indigenous Cultural Community and its commitment to responsible, inclusive digital infrastructure development in Palawan.
PLDT has completed the signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with the Tagbanua Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) of Palawan and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), marking a key milestone for the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project.
The final agreement, signed with the Tagbanua Tandulanen ICC in Sibaltan, El Nido, concludes a series of MOAs following earlier agreements with the Tagbanua Central ICC in Puerto Princesa and the Tagbanua Calamian ICC in Busuanga.
According to PLDT, the agreements reinforce its commitment to respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights while implementing the submarine cable project through cultural, social, and environmental safeguards.
The Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project aims to strengthen digital connectivity across the province by adding new submarine cable routes, improving network resilience and reliability for residents, businesses, and public services.
PLDT Vice President for Network Design and Engineering Arvin L. Siena said the infrastructure will connect Palawan more securely to the rest of the Philippines and the global internet, enabling better communication, supporting online learning, and expanding digital opportunities for local businesses.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Tagbanua Tandulanen Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC) in Sibaltan, El Nido, completes PLDT’s series of agreements with the Tagbanua Central ICC in Napsan, Puerto Princesa, and the Tagbanua Calamian ICC in Busuanga, marking a key milestone in the Palawan Resiliency Submarine Cable Project.
Community representatives also welcomed the partnership, expressing support for continued collaboration between PLDT, the NCIP, and the Tagbanua communities throughout the project’s implementation.
The initiative forms part of PLDT’s broader network expansion strategy to improve customer experience, accelerate the country’s digital transformation, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
