At a classroom in the Philippine National School for the Blind, lessons recently went beyond academics and focused on something more immediate: staying safe online.

In March, PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc., together with Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired, held a three-day cyber safety workshop for visually impaired women and girls. The activity was part of their International Women’s Month initiatives.

A total of 25 participants—17 students and 8 teachers—took part in sessions covering common online risks such as phishing, scams, impersonation, and harassment. The workshop also included practical steps on protecting personal data, managing app permissions, and basic “cyber hygiene.”

“Madali po siyang maintindihan,” said Grade 12 student Rea Mae Baclle. She said she learned how to better secure her accounts and plans to be more careful about what she shares online, including using authentication tools to prevent unauthorized access.

For Grade 9 student Yhanna Corde, the topic was personal. “Importante po na maging safe tayo kahit online,” she said, noting that risks don’t only exist offline. Having experienced online harassment herself, she said she now feels more prepared to respond. “Hindi ko na po siya i-ignore. Ire-report ko na po at ipapaalam sa mga nakatatanda.”

The workshop is part of a wider push by PLDT and Smart under their IDEATe program, which focuses on digital inclusion and access to technology, especially for underserved groups.

“Digital inclusion goes beyond connectivity,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Assistant Vice President and Head of Public Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “It also means giving people the tools and knowledge to protect themselves online.”

The companies say they are also strengthening their cybersecurity systems. In February alone, their Cyber Security Operations Group blocked over 14 billion attempts to access malicious sites, while the PLDT network stopped more than 387 million cyberattack attempts.

As more people rely on digital platforms, programs like this aim to make sure users—especially those who face additional barriers—can navigate online spaces more safely.