At the US Presidential and Trade Investment Meeting held in Malacañang this week, Google reiterated its commitment to advancing digital literacy and infrastructure in the Philippines, unveiling significant updates on its ongoing initiatives.
In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the tech giant announced the expansion of its Google Career Certificates (GCC) program, aimed at fostering digital skills across the nation. The program will now be accessible through more than 1,300 DTI virtual campuses spanning 16 regions nationwide. This initiative builds upon the distribution of 40,000 GCC scholarships, which were previously allocated to empower Filipino youths, job seekers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and civil servants with sought-after skills in various domains such as project management, cybersecurity, IT support, data analytics, UX design, and digital marketing.
(Photo by U.S. Embassy in the Philippines)
“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 US$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,” according to Sapna Chadha, Vice President for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier.
Google highlighted progress on the TPU (Taiwan-Philippines-United States) subsea cable system, which was jointly announced with regional carriers Chunghwa Telecom, Innove (a subsidiary of Globe Group), and AT&T in May 2023. The completion of this cable system is anticipated by the end of 2025. Subsea cables are integral to meeting the escalating demand for digital and cloud-based services, facilitating enhanced connectivity for users and organizations alike. Such infrastructure developments are expected to yield positive outcomes for trade, investment, and productivity within the country.
Improved internet access, facilitated by initiatives like the TPU subsea cable system, is crucial for the modernization of societies. It enables individuals to acquire new skills and knowledge, thereby unlocking avenues for employment opportunities. Simultaneously, businesses and governments stand to enhance productivity through digital transformation.
“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).
Google’s initiatives underscore its dedication to fostering digital inclusion and economic growth in the Philippines, positioning the nation for a more resilient and prosperous future in the digital age.