GOOGLE solidified its commitment to a digital Philippines during a recent US Presidential and Trade Investment Meeting. Their efforts target two key areas: expanding access to digital skills training and bolstering the country’s digital infrastructure.
In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Google is extending its reach by offering Google Career Certificates (GCC) in over 1,300 DTI Negosyo Centers across 16 Philippine regions. This initiative complements their previous distribution of 40,000 GCC scholarships. These programs equip Filipinos with in-demand skills for jobs in project management, cybersecurity, and other relevant fields.
On the infrastructure front, Google is collaborating with regional carriers to complete the TPU (Taiwan-Philippines-United States) subsea cable system by the end of 2025. This critical project will significantly improve internet access, paving the way for wider adoption of digital services and cloud technologies.
The benefits of a digital Philippines are multifaceted. Enhanced internet connectivity empowers individuals by providing access to educational resources and opening doors to new career opportunities.
Businesses and government agencies will also experience a transformation, with digitalization streamlining processes and boosting productivity.
A 2020 study underscores this impact, revealing that Google’s previous network investments in the Philippines generated an additional $14 billion in GDP and created 93,000 jobs.
“We extend our gratitude to Google for its continued investments in the Philippines, encompassing both digital skilling and digital infrastructure. These contributions will undoubtedly fuel our nation’s expanding digital economy. We anticipate that this marks the start of a more fruitful collaboration, and we look forward to partnering closely with Google in the realization of a Digital Philippines,” said Secretary Frederick D. Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA).
“At Google, we recognize the Philippines’ potential and we have invested actively in the country’s digital development. This includes digital skills training and digital infrastructure improvements. Our commitment has yielded significant economic benefits for the Philippines with our network investments alone that boosted the GDP by U.S. $14 billion and created 93,000 jobs. These outcomes motivate us to further deepen our collaboration with the Philippines and our efforts as a partner in building a robust digital economy,” Sapna Chadha, Vice President for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier said.
