Defining pillar of PBBM’s true legacy

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., once said: “I started our digital transformation by strengthening the backbone of progress — fast, reliable, and secure connectivity. My goal is simple: to get every Filipino online, no matter where they live, and ensure no one is left behind in the digital age.”

As of today, the digital economy has generated P2.2 trillion and created 11 million jobs.

Digital transformation has indeed emerged as a pillar of President Marcos Jr.’s administration. Promoted heavily under the banner of “Bagong Pilipinas,” his policy shifts aim to dismantle deeply rooted bureaucratic inefficiencies, minimize face-to-face transaction risks, and future-proof the Philippine economy.

From international commendations to tangible infrastructure built-outs, the metrics indicate a systematic overhaul of the country’s digital landscape.

Backing and investment from global tech giants

The country’s clear digitalization policies have prompted massive commitments from multinational tech companies.

1. Google: Prompted by PBBM’s digital agenda, Google agreed to expand its business footprint in the country, pledging support for nationwide digital services, cybersecurity elevation, and massive connectivity.

2. Starlink and EU Copernicus: Regulatory adjustments under the administration allowed for the entry of Starlink to address remote connectivity, while the European Union funded the expansion of the Copernicus satellite services in the country.

3. BPM Industry Leaders: Global enterprises — specifically Canadian firms embedded in the Philippines’ IT-BPM framework — have lauded the policy clarity, fostering closely on advanced digital operations like cloud analytics, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Key digitalization achievements under PBBM

1. The eGovPH App and AI Integration: The administration’s frontline program centralizes public services into a single platform. The app eliminates lines and minimizes “fixer” corruption. To make public access more inclusive, an AI-powered version featuring real-time translation was rolled out to bridge the language barriers.

2. Economic Footprints: The logical digital economy generated P2.25 trillion (accounting for roughly 8.5 percent of GDP) and created over 11 million jobs. This shift toward a “cash-lite” infrastructure has dramatically streamlined tax collection and transaction overhead, gaining formal nods from the World Bank and IMF.

3. Hard Infrastructure Expansion: Core projects like Phase 1 of the National Fiber Backbone and the introduction of satellite internet have begun expanding broadband across regional corridors. This expansion specifically targets Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas to close the rural-urban digital divide.

4. Sovereign Security Frameworks: Landmark updates like Executive Order 119 modernized government data classification structure simultaneously, the administration has pushed to localize the storage of sensitive citizen information through ultra-secure regional facilities, such as the Angeles Data Center.

Challenges and the broader picture

While digitalization serves as a cornerstone of governance, critics and tech experts note that labeling it his true legacy usually overlooks structural hurdles. Adoption remains starkly uneven across underfunded government units. Furthermore, the rapid move to online transactions introduced significant friction — most notably via a steep rise in localized cyber- security threats, identity theft, and digital scams that the administration is continually under pressure to mitigate.

Additionally, other sectors such as agricultural supply chains and massive transport infrastructure investments, continue to contend for the primary defining narrative of his presidency.

Email: arturobesana2@gmail.com.