Beyond Delivery: Where Social Impact Meets Project Leadership
- Ysabelle "Ysa" Marzonia
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Some projects build experience. Others stretch your leadership. And a few redefine what success truly means. After 15 years in project management, I found myself leading my first large-scale social impact initiative. It was a project that went beyond deliverables and milestones, and one that reminded me why project management matters.
A Project with Purpose
The Bayanihan SIM project is a national digital inclusion initiative led by the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), in partnership with Mobile Network Operators, including Globe
Telecom. The project aims to provide free internet access to students and teachers in Geographically
Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas through subsidized SIM cards with monthly data support.
By addressing both affordability and coverage, the initiative delivers mobile data connectivity to communities that have long been underserved. More than 1,000,800 SIM cards are being distributed across 360 locations nationwide, alongside the construction of new towers and upgrades to existing sites.
As I worked through the planning and execution, I began to reflect on who would ultimately benefit from this project.
To some, this project may merely be delivering SIM cards and putting up cell towers, but these SIM cards and cell towers will have a positive effect on the children's education and their parents livelihood.
Why This Project Matters
Approximately 17 percent of barangays in the Philippines are classified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged, with 18.5 million adults living in these areas. Limited connectivity affects access to education, government services, and livelihood opportunities.
Through Bayanihan SIM, the government is driving private sector investment to establish new towers in unserved areas and upgrade existing sites in underserved locations. Even beyond the project period, these infrastructure improvements will remain in place, allowing communities to continue benefiting from improved mobile connectivity.
Executing a Complex Project
This project was extremely challenging. It was unlike any other project that I have managed in the past. It involved multiple workstreams, numerous internal and external stakeholders, and a large project team. As a government project, the scope and timeline were clearly defined through public bidding, which required disciplined planning and execution.
Proper planning, proactive risk assessment, and strong stakeholder management were critical. This meant multiple alignment sessions with subject matter experts, deep involvement of our legal team, and consistent support from leadership to address issues as they arose. Building trust and good working relationships also made coordination smoother across teams.
One of the most demanding phases was the nationwide delivery of SIM cards, which had to be completed within a strict 45-day timeline to avoid liquidated damages. Deliveries, testing, and acceptance all happened in December 2025. Teams across the organization stepped in to support, even if they were not originally part of the project.
Leading with Heart
Despite the long hours, early mornings, and late nights, the purpose of the project kept me motivated.
Knowing that because of the countless hours, late nights, early mornings, and personal sacrifices that it takes to manage this project effectively, there are beneficiaries, especially children, in the far-flung and isolated areas of the Philippines that will benefit from this project, makes all of these challenges and hardships worthwhile.
Lessons Learned
Managing a social impact project changed how I view leadership and success. When there is a deeper purpose behind the work, it pushes you to go beyond the traditional triple constraint and lead with greater care and responsibility.
My message to fellow project managers is simple.
My advice to other project managers is if you are given an opportunity to manage a project that is purposedriven or of social impact, even if it is beyond your comfort zone, go for it. It is challenging but very fulfilling.
Purpose-driven projects demand more from us as leaders. But they also give more in return by reminding us that behind every plan and milestone are people whose lives are changed because of the work we do.
About the Author
Ysabelle “Ysa” Marzonia, PMP, is a project leader and mom of two young kids. She volunteers with PMI Philippines and is most inspired by projects that create meaningful social impact.
