State leaders and private sector partners are aligning strategy to fortify the nation’s digital ecosystem against systemic cyber threats while expanding high-speed connectivity to isolated rural communities.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure Sector Group in Malacañang on Tuesday to evaluate recommendations aimed at expanding internet access, strengthening cybersecurity defenses, and expanding the domestic digital economy.
The high-level discussions prioritized extending internet access to underserved areas, coordinating rapid power and telecommunications restoration during natural disasters, and safeguarding critical national digital assets.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) stated that the administration seeks to accelerate digital infrastructure development, specifically in regions where poor connectivity continues to impede access to public and financial services.
The government initiative is targeted at narrowing the digital divide affecting students, remote workers, and families in isolated areas who face persistent service gaps.
To evaluate practical solutions on the ground, President Marcos is personally tracking the rollout of the Bayanihan SIM Project to assess options for expanding its subscriber footprint across remote locations.
Alongside connectivity expansion, executive policies are focusing on consumer and small-business protections against online fraud and cyber intrusions as economic transactions increasingly shift to digital channels.
The administration noted its intent to build consumer confidence across digital banking platforms, online bill processing, digital merchant sales, and other web-based transactions.
The PCO also reported that council members discussed plans to cultivate a Philippine space economy, support domestic tech industries, and train local technical talent.
“Through these initiatives, the goal is to ensure that more Filipinos have access to reliable and affordable internet, while creating greater opportunities for workers, startups, and MSMEs to thrive and participate in the growing digital economy,” the PCO said.