Globe m360 launches Digital for Good program for farmers and fisherfolk in Cavite

Globe Telecom’s enterprise messaging platform, m360, has launched its Digital for Good: From Farm to Chat initiative in Naic, Cavite, combining digital literacy training with free healthcare services to help farmers and fisherfolk improve their livelihoods.

Why it matters: Many rural communities continue to face limited digital access and inadequate healthcare, making it difficult for them to participate fully in the digital economy. The program aims to address both challenges in a single community outreach effort.

The details: Implemented in partnership with Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), the initiative featured a half-day digital skills workshop followed by a free medical mission offering minor surgical procedures.

The digital literacy workshop, led by m360 employee volunteers, focused on practical skills that participants can immediately apply to their businesses. Sessions covered creating digital product catalogs, promoting products online, accepting orders through messaging platforms, and practicing safe online transactions.

Participants also learned how to take better product photos using their smartphones, write simple product descriptions, and share listings through Facebook, Viber, SMS, and other messaging platforms. The workshop included guidance on communicating with customers, confirming payments before releasing products, and identifying potential online scams.

On the healthcare side, WSFP conducted pre-screening for up to 150 patients before performing free minor surgical procedures during the afternoon outreach.

The bigger picture: The initiative reflects a growing effort to use digital technologies beyond business applications by helping underserved communities develop digital skills that can generate additional income.

“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 Hirang.

Hirang added that m360 aims to use its communications platform not only for enterprise services but also for community development through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Between the lines: The Naic outreach serves as the pilot for a wider rollout of the Digital for Good program. According to m360, additional communities across Luzon and other parts of the country are expected to benefit from future workshops and medical missions.

The company said the initiative supports its long-term goal of narrowing the country’s digital divide by helping underserved sectors gain access to practical digital tools that can improve business opportunities and financial inclusion.

For Filipinos: For small-scale farmers and fisherfolk, digital platforms increasingly offer opportunities to reach more customers without relying solely on traditional markets. Learning how to promote products online, communicate with buyers, and conduct safer digital transactions can help expand their customer base while reducing risks from online scams.

The addition of free healthcare services also addresses another common barrier in rural communities, allowing beneficiaries to receive minor surgical treatment that may otherwise be inaccessible due to cost or distance.

PRRM President and Vice Chairperson Ed Dela Torre said the program could help rural communities adapt to an increasingly digital economy.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lester Suntay said the partnership allows WSFP to expand its surgical outreach efforts and provide treatment to more underserved Filipinos.

What’s next: Following the launch in Naic, m360 plans to expand Digital for Good to more communities nationwide, continuing its combination of digital literacy training and community healthcare as part of its broader corporate social responsibility program.

The Bottom Line: By combining digital entrepreneurship training with accessible healthcare, Globe’s m360 is taking a community-based approach to digital inclusion, helping rural Filipinos gain practical skills while addressing health challenges that can limit their ability to earn a living.