Globe m360 helps rural Filipinos thrive—harvesting opportunities online

Gains from the digital space are no longer exclusive to Filipinos from major cities, as farmers and fisherfolk are now equipped to harvest opportunities online.

Photo from m360

Opening digital doors for farmers, fisherfolk

Thanks to Globe Telecom unit m360, exploring and even improving digital skills are now within reach for rural communities.

Photo from m360

The company, in partnership with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), launched the "Digital for Good: From Farm to Chat" initiative in Naic, Cavite.

This was meant to boost the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk through digital literacy workshops, with m360 baig boss believing in the platform "as a force for genuine social good."

Rural farming and fishing communities face two compounding barriers - limited digital access and untreated health conditions - that hold them back from fully participating in the economy. Removing both barriers will help create real and lasting change. Our mission is to enable every Filipino community to connect, communicate, and grow, said Ramon "Mon" Hirang, m360 President and CEO.

Four practical topics were discussed: digital product catalogue creation, order-taking via messaging, digital promotion, and basic digital safety.

Photo from m360

This included teaching participants how to use their cellphones to sell, promote, and protect their livelihoods.

For instance, to help them reach a wider market, participants were demonstrated how to take a good product photo using their cellphones, write a simple description, and how to share via chat or Facebook.

Of course, while selling to legit buyers is the goal, getting scammed remains a possibility.

This is why m360 also discussed some ways to spot fake buyers, ensuring their goods and profits are safe.

Aside from narrowing the digital divide, m360 likewise conducted minor surgeries in partnership with WSFP. Up to 150 patients were pre-screened by WSFP for the minor surgical care that took place in the afternoon.

With our Surgical Outreach Program, we try to help address the surgical backlog in our country by providing treatments to indigent patients in underserved communities. Through this partnership with m360, our volunteer medical team will be able to reach out and provide life-changing treatments to more vulnerable Filipinos, said Dr. Lester Suntay, WSFP president and co-founder.

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