The European Union or EU and the Philippines are crafting a digital development program, set for launch next year to help the boost Internet speed and reach, strengthen cybersecurity, and integrate more women into the digital economy.

On Thursday, the Department of Finance said the two partners, along with other countries, are creating the Digital Connectivity Global Gateway Package.

"The package has key elements on capacity building, regulatory or policy support, cybersecurity, and enhanced cable connectivity," a DoF statement said.

"The package, which is being considered for launch next year, will also help address the digital gender gap in the country by empowering women in the digital economy," the DoF added.

Connectivity partnership

This global partnership on digital connectivity was recently sealed during the first Global Gateway Forum hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from 25 to 25 October in Brussels, Belgium.

There were 40 government leaders who attended the forum, with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno representing the Philippines.

Global Gateway is the EU's largest global investment program, with funding of up to 300 billion euros to be used by partner countries from 2021 to 2027 to improve their digital, energy, and transportation infrastructure, along with health and education systems.

During the forum, the EU and the Philippines signed a 60 million euros financing agreement to help the latter realize projects for climate change mitigation and digital transformation.

Under its digital program, the European Commission already committed in 2021 to provide all highly populated areas of the EU's 27 member-states with faster Internet through 5G by 2030. Less than one-third of these areas benefited from that Internet technology two years ago.

Expanding use of AI

The commission also aims to expand the population of the EU's small businesses using artificial intelligence and cloud from less than half to 75 percent, and those with basic technology skills from 75 percent to 100 percent over a decade.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology, or DICT, on the other hand, is developing 500 to 1,000 digitalization programs.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Mon Gutierrez said the government is doubling its efforts to realize over 10 percent of its total number of digitalization programs through public-private partnerships.

Also conducted by the DICT are digital literacy campaigns for government agencies, private firms and the public to spur technological innovations and better digital policies.