Smart provides connectivity, livelihood via GK Access program

MANILA, Philippines - The Gawad Kalinga Foundation and Smart Communications Inc. recently launched the GK Access Package not only to enable some 211 GK employees to stay connected in the field, but also to give them an additional means of livelihood.

Under the GK Access Package program, the employees will be able to enjoy mobile Internet connectivity via 211 Smart Bro plug-it units and the chance to own a netbook via a reasonable loan scheme.

At the same time, they are registered under “Load Mo Sarili Mo (LMSM),” a business opportunity which enables Smart subscribers to augment their income by using their cellphones to load themselves or share load to others.

Through the LMSM’s member-get-member program, GK employees earn a commission from their own load and the load of their members and increase their profits the more people they are able to recruit into the LMSM network.

During the launch, Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea also turned over a check amounting to P801,000 to help in the implementation of the GK Access Package program.

The program is part of Smart’s continuing efforts to provide connectivity via the “Broadbanding GK” project. 

Launched in 2007, the project has resulted in the provision of Internet access to 18 GK regional offices, including those in Metro Manila, La Union, Isabela, Tarlac, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Cebu, Southern Leyte, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Davao, and Sultan Kudarat.

The following year, Smart and GK signed a memorandum of agreement on the development of GK’s management information system. 

Under the agreement, Smart donated P4 million to GK for the development of the Unity Global Database, the procurement of financial accounting software and other requirements for the development of the GK MIS system.

Smart, together with parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and the PLDT-Smart Foundation, has adopted 10 PLDT-Smart Amazing GK villages nationwide. 

In Metro Manila and Luzon, the sites are located in Baseco Compound, Tondo, Manila; Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija; and Barangay Anoling, General Nakar, Quezon.

Meanwhile, the sites in the Visayas include Barangay Budlaan, Talamban, Cebu City; Barangay Sooc, Arevalo, Iloilo; and Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

In Mindanao, the sites are Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Camp Abubakar, Barira; and Panglima Estino, Sulu.

Aside from funding the construction of houses in each village, beneficiary residents are also assisted through various livelihood and environmental protection programs.