The Philippines forges stronger ties with tech giant Google to boost its digital infrastructure and upskill its workforce during the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held on May 15 in Jeju, South Korea. This is part of its push to become a regional hub for hyperscaler investments and innovation.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque met with Karan Bhatia, Google vice president and global head for government affairs and public policy, to discuss strategic collaboration. Talks centered on expanding data center infrastructure, improving internet connectivity, and scaling digital skills programs nationwide.
“The Philippines stands ready to be a vital partner in the global digital value chain,” Roque said. “With our young, tech-savvy population and rapidly strengthening infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for inclusive innovation and sustainable growth.”
Building a future-ready digital ecosystem
Roque highlighted the country’s progress in establishing digital foundations. She cited 19 international subsea cables, 13 cable landing stations, over 840,000 kilometers of domestic fiber optic lines, and 25 data centers with a combined rack capacity of 19,000. These developments position the country as a rising destination for hyperscaler firms and large-scale data centers that power cloud computing, streaming, and enterprise platforms.
She also pointed to Google’s longstanding involvement in the country, including its investments in subsea internet cable infrastructure and its support for the IT-BPM sector since 2013.
With 110 million digitally engaged citizens and generous government incentives such as those under the CREATE MORE law, the Philippines offers fertile ground for large-scale digital operations and advanced manufacturing for global tech companies.
Driving inclusive innovation through talent and MSME empowerment
Beyond infrastructure, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) emphasizes workforce readiness. Roque lauded Google’s promised collaboration with the agency on the Google Career Certificates program, which is now active in over 1,300 Negosyo Centers across 16 regions. The initiative equips Filipinos with job-ready digital skills, particularly benefiting women and youth entrepreneurs.
“MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy,” Roque said. “Empowering them with digital tools and capabilities ensures that no one is left behind in the country’s innovation journey.”
Looking ahead to the ASEAN Chairmanship of the Philippines in 2026, Roque invited Google to play a key role in shaping regional priorities on digital inclusion, cross-border e-commerce, and cybersecurity, underscoring the nation’s ambition to lead in the digital economy.
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Kaul, A., Lim, M., Goh, L., & Swee, C. W. (2024, July 15). Economic Impact Report: Growing the Philippines’ AI opportunity with Google. Access Partnership. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://accesspartnership.com/growing-the-philippines-ai-opportunity-with-google/
ABS-CBN News. (2024, April 13). Google to help Philippine MSMEs, train kids on digital technology: Palace. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/4/12/google-pledges-aid-for-philippine-msmes-stronger-cybersecurity-palace-746
