Singapore: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) highlighted the country's partnerships with private companies to grow its digital finance ecosystem at the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2025, held from Nov. 12 to 14. In his keynote address at the event on Friday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized the country's mission to build a more 'inclusive and trusted' digital economy, grounded in reliable infrastructure and strong public-private partnerships.
According to Philippines News Agency, Aguda addressed the challenges faced by the digital economy in the Philippines, noting that while it has grown rapidly, it has not been equitable. Many Filipinos continue to struggle with unreliable connectivity and digital payment systems. Aguda outlined the government's commitment to addressing these issues under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aiming to create a Digital Philippines where no citizen is left behind.
To ensure that digital transformation has a meaningful impact on the public, the Philippine government is aligning modern innovations with policy initiatives. Aguda highlighted efforts in advancing digital identity, open finance, cybersecurity, and AI governance to ensure that every transaction is reliable, every connection secure, and every opportunity accessible.
Aguda also discussed the Philippines' upcoming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, with a focus on the theme, 'AI as the Future of ASEAN.' He emphasized that AI should be viewed not as a threat but as a shared opportunity to build a smarter and more inclusive region.
During the three-day expo, the Philippines Country Pavilion was represented by the DICT and several fintech and financial institutions such as Maya, GCash, LandBank, and RCBC. The event featured executives from both the Philippine government and the private sector, including Aguda; Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig; Sopnendu Mohanty, co-founder and group CEO of the Global Finance and Technology Network; and Lito Villanueva, founding chairperson of FinTech Alliance PH.
The Philippine pavilion showcased the eGovPH app featuring Kuya Ey, an AI assistant designed to help Filipinos access government services, digital payments, and financial tools. Additionally, during the festival, the DICT and Maya formalized a memorandum of understanding to expand government payments and improve digital financial access nationwide.
