PLDT’s community-based program, Bayanihan, has helped reduce cable theft incidents in the first 11 months of 2025. The initiative brings together PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, barangays, local governments, and police to protect network infrastructure.
The program expanded to several cities this year, including Makati, Davao, Quezon City, Pasay, and Cagayan de Oro. Through these sessions, local leaders and residents were trained to monitor and report theft of copper cables and other equipment.
These crimes often disrupt internet and mobile services, causing complaints and revenue loss.
According to PLDT, theft-related apprehension incidents dropped by 34%, while apprehended suspects decreased by 24% compared to the same period in 2024. Last year, the company recorded nearly 1,000 theft cases, with some areas in Manila reporting incidents every three days.
“Our intensified collaboration with barangays this year highlights the importance of bringing communities into the conversation when it comes to protecting our network,” said Leo Gonzales, Vice President and Head of Property, Facilities, and Asset Resiliency Management at PLDT and Smart.
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“By working hand in hand with local leaders and residents, we are not simply preventing theft, we are also ensuring that digital services remain accessible and reliable for millions of Filipinos.”
