PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. have partnered with education authorities and a local school in Tacloban City to strengthen student mental wellness and equip school personnel with skills to provide psychosocial support during emergencies.
Under their #KonektedforResilience advocacy, the companies collaborated with the Department of Education Region VIII (DepEd Region VIII), the DepEd Schools Division of Tacloban City, and St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (STEFTI) for a three-day series of wellness and resilience-building activities.
The initiative comes in response to a recent crisis experienced by the local schools division, highlighting the importance of preparing educators and learners to manage difficult situations and maintain supportive learning environments.
Promoting Mental Wellness Among Students
Grade 9 and 10 students from San Jose National High School participated in mental wellness sessions focused on managing personal challenges and responding to crisis situations. The initiative also reached junior and senior high school students at STEFTI.
Through interactive discussions and activities, students explored common stressors, healthy coping strategies, and misconceptions about mental health. They also learned how to respond appropriately to challenging situations while protecting their emotional well-being.
Sherlita A. Palma, DepEd Tacloban City Schools Division Superintendent, emphasized the importance of providing psychosocial support to learners while empowering school heads to become psychological first aiders. She noted that these efforts help schools remain safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for students.
Equipping Educators To Provide Psychological First Aid
Alongside the student sessions, PLDT and Smart conducted a training-of-trainers program on Psychological First Aid (PFA) for DepEd Tacloban City school heads and STEFTI teaching and non-teaching personnel.
The training introduced practical tools for providing immediate psychosocial support during emergencies. Participants were also encouraged to share their learnings with fellow teachers and staff, extending the initiative’s impact across their respective school communities.
Mary Bernadette Palami, school director at STEFTI, welcomed the collaboration, noting that specialized mental health knowledge is essential to helping educators better support their students. She expressed appreciation for opportunities that strengthen the school’s capacity to address learners’ well-being.
Promoting Safer And More Responsible Digital Habits
As part of the initiative, DepEd Tacloban City and STEFTI received copies of “Ang Paglalakbay ni Tala” (The Adventure of Tala), a book developed by PLDT and Smart to raise awareness of internet safety among children and encourage responsible digital citizenship.
Marylou B. Gocotano, Stakeholder Engagement Visayas Relations head at PLDT and Smart, reaffirmed the companies’ commitment to protecting children and young people both offline and online. She highlighted the importance of working with schools and education partners to create environments where learners feel safe, supported, and empowered.
The activities reflect PLDT and Smart’s broader commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
By combining mental wellness education, psychological first aid training, and digital safety awareness, the partnership aims to help build more resilient school communities equipped to respond to crises and support the well-being of learners.
