Makati city: The Philippines is prepared for a transformation that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) in pursuit of national development and a better quality of life for Filipinos, Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Thursday. In his keynote address at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Balisacan highlighted the country's digital transformation efforts.
According to Philippines News Agency, Balisacan noted the growth of the country's digital economy, which expanded to PHP2.1 trillion in 2024 from PHP1.6 trillion in 2018. The Philippines also rose to 56th place in the Oxford Government AI Readiness Index 2024, improving by nine ranks from the previous year.
Balisacan emphasized the importance of shaping technology to secure the future, stating that much has already been accomplished. The government is committed to expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening human capital, enhancing governance frameworks, fostering collaboration across multiple sectors, and ensuring governance with foresight and equity.
The National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Development, aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028, positions innovation as a key growth driver. Initiatives like the Department of Trade and Industry's AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0 and the Department of Education's efforts to integrate AI knowledge into schools are pivotal to this agenda.
The Department of Science and Technology's Democratized Intelligent Model Exchange Repository (DIMER) project offers AI models for agriculture, disaster response, and industry, reducing barriers for local stakeholders. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has partnered with Google and other institutions to enhance AI training through the SPARK initiative.
Government efforts include the eGov PH app and the digital national ID, accessible to 88.5 million Filipinos, while 55 million physical ID cards have been delivered. The National Fiber Backbone connects six regions and over 17 million people, and the Konektadong Pinoy Act aims to increase telecommunications competition and access.
Balisacan stressed the need for integrity and ethics in innovation, with the DICT and Civil Service Commission releasing guidelines on "ethical and trustworthy AI" to ensure transparency. He advocated for combining AI with "green standards" for responsible energy use.
AI's potential to enhance governance, healthcare services, and social inclusion is significant, particularly as the population ages. Balisacan emphasized the need to subsidize AI-enabled health services, reskill older workers, and ensure inclusivity in the digital economy.
He concluded by stating that the age of AI is about enriching humanity and making governance inclusive, transparent, and resilient. "Let us not remain spectators as the world advances. Let us lead with vision, build with purpose, and innovate with heart," he urged.
