Philippines Pushes AI-Driven Growth, Digital Transformation — DEPDev

Technology | Innovation Posted on 2025-09-18 20:18:20

MANILA – The Philippines is gearing up to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of national development and improved quality of life, Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Thursday.

In his keynote at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in Makati City, Balisacan highlighted the country’s digital economy growth to PHP2.1 trillion in 2024, up from PHP1.6 trillion in 2018. He also noted the Philippines’ climb to 56th place in the Oxford Government AI Readiness Index 2024, a leap from 65th the previous year.

“These gains affirm that Filipinos are not only adopting technology. We are shaping it to secure our future,” Balisacan said, stressing the government’s commitment to inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital innovation.

Key initiatives supporting the country’s AI and digital transformation agenda include:

• DTI’s AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0 and the establishment of the Center for AI Research.

• DepEd’s integration of AI knowledge in schools.

• DOST’s DIMER project, providing ready-to-use AI models for agriculture, disaster response, and industry.

• DICT’s SPARK program, offering free AI training in partnership with Google and other institutions.

• Digital services rollout, including the eGov PH app, national ID (88.5 million Filipinos registered, 55 million cards delivered), and the National Fiber Backbone linking six regions and over 17 million people.

He also cited the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which aims to improve competition in telecommunications, lower costs, and expand access nationwide.

Balisacan emphasized the importance of ethics, transparency, and sustainability in adopting AI, citing new DICT-Civil Service Commission guidelines for “trustworthy AI” in government. He underscored AI’s role in enhancing governance, reducing fraud, improving healthcare, and supporting social inclusion, especially as the Philippines faces an aging population.

“The age of AI is not about replacing humanity; it is about enriching it. It is about combining human and artificial intelligence to make governance inclusive, transparent, and resilient,” he said. “Let us not remain spectators as the world advances. Let us lead with vision, build with purpose, and innovate with heart.”

NPO News Team | PNA-PR

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