The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing up to US$30 billion in investments over the next seven years through the Philippines AI+ Infrastructure Masterplan 2033, a roadmap aimed at positioning the country as a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and digital industries.
DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the agency expects the masterplan to secure approval from the Economic Development Committee by July.
“We expect the Economic Development Committee to approve the masterplan by July this year,” Aguda told reporters on the sidelines of the DICT’s 10th anniversary celebration.
The Philippines AI+ Infrastructure Masterplan, or PAIIM 2033, sets the country’s long-term strategy for building AI-ready infrastructure, expanding digital connectivity, strengthening high-performance computing capabilities, promoting local innovation, and drawing global digital investments.
The DICT said the Philippines ranked fourth overall among ASEAN countries in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2025, with strong performance in governance and adoption. The country ranked third in policy capacity and fifth in public sector AI adoption.
Despite these gains, the agency said the Philippines still trails regional leaders in physical AI infrastructure, particularly in computing capacity, data center development, and reliable digital connectivity.
Aguda said closing these gaps would be critical for the country to maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence.
“Countries that build the infrastructure of the AI economy today will attract the investments, industries, and high-value jobs of tomorrow,” Aguda said. “PAIIM 2033 ensures that the Philippines is prepared not only to adopt AI, but to become a regional leader in powering it.”
Under the plan, the government aims to establish up to 1.5 gigawatts of AI-ready data center capacity by 2033. This would be supported by wider digital connectivity, renewable energy sources, skilled talent, and a stronger regulatory framework.
The masterplan also targets the creation of more than 500,000 AI-related jobs, the attraction of US$8 billion to US$12 billion in private investments, and a potential 10 to 12-percent increase in national gross domestic product through higher productivity and digital transformation.
The roadmap builds on existing programs such as the National Digital Connectivity Plan, National AI Strategy for the Philippines, National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0, National Cybersecurity Plan, and Philippine Energy Plan. It also supports the administration’s goal of transforming the country into a trusted digital and innovation hub under the PAX Silica Initiative.
Once approved, PAIIM 2033 will undergo recommendation, review, and approval by the President through an executive order (EO). The EO is expected to institutionalize the masterplan as a national priority program and establish the governance mechanisms needed for its implementation.
The DICT said the initiative would be carried out through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach anchored on Digital Bayanihan.
Through the masterplan, the government aims to make the Philippines not only a user of AI technologies, but also a producer, host, and regional leader in the infrastructure powering the AI-driven economy.