MANILA, Philippines — The government on Tuesday officially launched the final Philippines AI+ Infrastructure Masterplan 2026–2033, a $34.4-billion roadmap aimed at transforming the country into a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the plan seeks to shift the Philippines from being a consumer of AI technologies to becoming a builder, host, and supporter of the global AI ecosystem.
DICT officer-in-charge Gemma Baysic said the country aims to “build, host, power, and support” the future AI economy.
Under the master plan, the country’s data center capacity will expand 30-fold—from 50 megawatts (MW) to 1.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2033. An initial 400 MW capacity is targeted for completion by 2030 under the first phase.
Energy Undersecretary Maria Francesca Del Rosario said the government will ensure sufficient power supply for an estimated 152,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) needed for AI operations, without affecting household electricity demand.
The energy mix will initially rely on natural gas for immediate needs, while aiming for 40 percent renewable energy—such as solar and geothermal—by 2033. Nuclear energy is also being studied as a long-term option under the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act.
The plan is built on six key pillars: connectivity infrastructure, AI compute and data centers, sustainable energy and water sourcing, workforce development, policy and regulation, and demand creation and adoption.
It also identifies four major AI development corridors: Clark-Bataan as the primary hub, Batangas-Aurora as a gateway corridor, Subic and Calabarzon as supporting hubs, and Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro as future regional nodes.
Of the $34.4 billion total investment, 39 percent ($13.5 billion) will come from government funds, while 61 percent ($21 billion) is expected from private sector investment.
The government projects the initiative will generate more than 500,000 AI-related jobs and 175,000 infrastructure jobs, while boosting gross domestic product (GDP) by 10 to 12 percent through digital transformation and productivity gains.
The plan also includes reskilling programs for 1.3 million workers in the IT-BPM sector and the establishment of a national AI governance and trusted data framework by 2033.
Officials said the Philippines’ strong digital foundation—such as widespread mobile coverage, 21 submarine cables, and a large IT-BPM workforce—supports its ambition to become a leading AI hub in Southeast Asia. #
Source: The Manila Times
