In line with its commitment to ensure reliable connectivity, Globe recently brought a learning session and livelihood training to over 200 residents of Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City, a known hotspot of cable theft.

Held on March 11, the event is part of Globe’s holistic efforts to address the problem of fiber cuts, which cause sudden service disruptions impacting customers in households, schools, offices, commercial establishments, and government offices.

A total of 57 fiber cuts, mostly cases of cable theft, were recorded in Tatalon in 2024– the most among Quezon City barangays. This incidence is known in the community, with village officials acknowledging the persistence of such crime.

“In Globe, we know that cable theft is a problem that goes beyond being a security matter. The root of this problem is largely a social one. That’s why we delivered interventions that aim to augment not just the residents’ understanding about the importance of connectivity but also their options to make a living,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

Jay Gatmaitan, Head of the Quezon City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office, shared how a fiber cut once disrupted access to the city government’s emergency hotlines.

“This shows how important connectivity is.  Fiber cuts trigger a ripple effect that inconveniences everyone, including disruptions in accessing public services. The Quezon City government extends its full support to Globe to address this problem through a holistic approach,” Gatmaitan said.

Barangay Tatalon Captain Emmanuel “Kiko” Del Mundo, meanwhile, thanked Globe for bringing the program to his community and called on Tatalon residents to support efforts to stop cable theft.

Addressing barangay residents, he said: “Ang Barangay Tatalon ay isa sa mga barangay sa Quezon City na may insidente ng pagnanakaw ng kable. Tulungan natin ang Globe para matigil na ang krimen na ito. Nandito sila para bigyan kayo ng pagkakataon na makapagsimula ng maayos na kabuhayan,” he said.

During the learning session, Carlo Santos, Globe Senior Director for Analytics, Intelligence and Stakeholder Engagement, talked about how crucial connectivity is in daily life and causes of disruption, among them physical barriers, illegal use of signal repeaters, and cable theft.

Santos also tackled meaningful use of connectivity, including self-initiated learning and generating income through online jobs.

Christian Blardony, Globe Senior Director for Service Planning and Engineering, meanwhile, talked about how Globe’s network has shifted to fiber, phasing out the use of copper, which thieves usually target for its resale value. Ryan Soriano, Globe Expert for Cable Network Engineering, and Ma Fe Gamboa, Head, Globe Core OSP Planning and Engineering, also showed how delicate fiber cable is and how cutting it improperly could be hazardous to health.

Arnel Reazon, Trainer Lead at GCash, meanwhile, gave residents a crash course on financial literacy, teaching them how to use the app for day-to-day transactions and for business, and how to protect themselves against online scams.

Globe’s NGO partner GROW, the livelihood arm of Project Pearls, meanwhile, gave residents training on making dishwashing liquid, liquid hand soap, and scented alcohol. A total of 223 participants received free starter kits and guidance on how to reinvest their initial earnings to sustain their small businesses.

Globe also taught residents how they can earn money by selling prepaid load, SIMs and other Globe services.

“We are proud to partner with Globe for this training program. We saw how very engaged the residents were during their livelihood training, and we  hope that this gives them a fresh start and boosts their earning capacity,” said Genevieve Matabang, Empowerment and Livelihood Program Manager of GROW.

Through initiatives like this, Globe continues to strengthen its commitment to digital and financial inclusion while addressing the root causes of cable theft. By equipping communities with knowledge, skills, and alternative livelihood opportunities, the company aims to foster a more sustainable and connected future for all.

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.