President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday outlined his vision of a digitally connected Philippines that ensures opportunities reach every Filipino, stressing the need for stronger public–private partnerships to accelerate financial technology growth and inclusion “brick by brick, gigabyte by gigabyte.”
Speaking at the Manila Tech Summit 2025 in Taguig, Marcos said technology must serve as a bridge to close the divide between those “who have more in life and those who have less,” while assuring that the government is committed to building the infrastructure needed to sustain digital transformation.
“The connected nation that we dream of will only come online if we all choose to build it brick by brick, gigabyte by gigabyte,” he said.
Marcos noted that the country’s digital economy was valued at ₱2.25 trillion in 2024, representing 8.5 percent of GDP, and had generated over 11.3 million jobs, underscoring its capacity to create inclusive opportunities. He credited industry leaders, innovators, and thinkers for helping shape a “future-ready, inclusive, and resilient Philippine financial technology sector.”
Among the government’s initiatives, the President cited the ongoing National Fiber Backbone project, which aims to deliver faster internet to 17 million Filipinos by 2028; the rollout of the Philippine Identification System to boost financial inclusion; and the expansion of Free Wi-Fi for All and the Bayanihan SIM Project to connect schools and remote areas.
He also emphasized efforts to protect consumers through the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, the E-Commerce Bureau, and the SIM Registration Act, along with reskilling programs to prepare Filipinos for careers in AI, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and creative industries.
“All of these efforts place technological innovation at the center of our governance,” Marcos said.
Despite progress, the President acknowledged that “there is still plenty of room for growth,” calling on stakeholders to help position the Philippines as a major player in the global fintech arena.
“We see the greater need to tap the endless possibilities of a truly digital Philippines,” Marcos said, vowing to strengthen infrastructure and craft policies that support technology-driven growth and empower Filipinos in the digital age.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
