Mandaluyong city: Location and competitive incentives make the Philippines an ideal location for digital infrastructure, Board of Investment (BOI) Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla said. In his speech during the Siemens Tech Forum in Mandaluyong City on late Wednesday afternoon, Fondevilla emphasized that the data center industry is becoming one of the cornerstones of the country's digital economy.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fondevilla highlighted the science and technology-based approach and innovation-led strategy aimed at making the Philippines a regional hub for sustainability-driven industries. He pointed out the availability of a tech-savvy population, a skilled and adaptable workforce, rising capacity for renewable energy, and comprehensive government efforts to update regulatory frameworks, which collectively create a transparent and competitive business environment ideal for data centers.
Fondevilla, a lawyer, remarked that there are already multiple data center players in the country, signifying that 'the Philippines is no longer a potential location' but already a reality. He asserted, 'The Philippines is not just ready. It is an ideal location for the future of digital infrastructure with our competitive incentives, strategic locations, and a government fully committed to innovation. We are creating the ideal environment for data center investments to thrive.'
Siemens ASEAN president and chief executive officer Dr. Thai Lai Pham, also speaking at the event, noted the significant growth of Southeast Asia's digital infrastructure market, from which the Philippines is benefitting. Citing market data, he shared that the Philippines' data center market was valued at about USD633 million (PHP36.2 billion) last year, with projections to reach USD1.97 billion (PHP112.67 billion) by 2030.
Dr. Pham identified three key aspects crucial for the growth of the local data center sector: efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. He stated, 'The Philippine data center industry is at the forefront of the country's digital transformation. And all of us stakeholders who wish to make this industry successful in the years to come have an important role to play by engaging in continuous dialogue so that we can leverage the game-changing developments that this industry faces.'
