Tech giant Google said that it remains committed to help build a “Digital Philippines.”
This was stressed during this week’s US Presidential and Trade Investment Meeting at the Palace where Google shared its efforts around digital skilling and infrastructure.
It said that it is rolling out more Google Career Certificates (GCC) in Department of Trade and Industry virtual campuses covering over 1,300 DTI Negosyo Centers in 16 regions nationwide.
Prior to this, around 40,000 GCC scholarships were provided by the tech giant “to equip Filipino youths, jobseekers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and civil servants with in-demand skills in project management, cybersecurity, IT support, data analytics, UX design and digital marketing.”
During the Malacañang meeting, Google also underscored that TPU (Taiwan-Philippines-United States) subsea cable system that it announced in collaboration with regional carriers Chunghwa Telecom, Innove (a subsidiary of Globe Group), and AT&T in May 2023 is on track. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
According to the tech giant, subsea cables play an important role in helping meet the growing demand for digital and cloud-based services from users and organizations, as well as in bringing positive trade, investment, and productivity gains to a country. It cited that improved internet access result in digital transformation.
Google cited that a 2020 study found that Google’s network investments in the Philippines led to an extra U.S. $14 billion in aggregate GDP and supported 93,000 additional jobs.
Sapna Chadha, vice president for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, said that their company recognizes the Philippines’ potential in the digital development, hence, they invested on 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,” Chadha said.
Frederick Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) expressed gratitude to the tech giant for its investments in the country that improve digital skilling and 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,” he said. — Rosette Adel
