CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. III (DOST-III) and Singapore-based AI and digital innovation company WPH Digital have formalized a partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation and expanding the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across Central Luzon.

The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the regional implementation of the Philippines’ National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS-PH), combining DOST-III’s public-sector mandate with WPH Digital’s expertise in AI, digital transformation, and technology implementation.

The agreement was formally signed on August 19, 2026, by Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, Regional Director of DOST Central Luzon, and Mr. Vincent Leoh, Managing Director of WPH Digital.

The signing took place during the opening of the joint program and was witnessed by more than 50 representatives from the business, technology, and public sectors across Central Luzon.

Expanding Access to Generative AI

The partnership seeks to bring advanced technologies such as Generative AI and cloud computing closer to businesses, organizations, and government institutions in Central Luzon.

By making these technologies more accessible outside Metro Manila, the initiative aims to strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), industries, and public-sector organizations throughout the region.

For Leoh, successful AI adoption goes beyond access to technology and requires people and organizations to develop the skills needed to use it effectively.

“We believe AI adoption is not a technology challenge — it is a capability challenge,” said Leoh.

He said WPH Academy focuses on developing AI capabilities among individuals, while WPH Digital helps organizations apply those capabilities through practical AI solutions.

“When capability building and practical implementation come together, organisations start seeing real value from AI,” he added.

Building an AI-Ready Workforce

A key focus of the partnership is workforce development through reskilling, practical training, and capability-building.

Rather than viewing AI solely as a potential threat to jobs, the initiative aims to equip workers, professionals, and government personnel with the skills to use AI as a tool for improving productivity, efficiency, and workplace processes.

As an initial step in putting the partnership into action, DOST-III and WPH Digital conducted the “Generative AI for Modern Business Operations” workshop.

The session brought together business leaders, IT professionals, and other regional stakeholders for hands-on discussions and demonstrations on the use of AI, cloud-based technologies, and practical strategies for integrating AI into business operations.

Beyond training, the partnership aims to help organizations identify areas where AI can provide practical benefits and develop solutions that can be adapted to their specific operational needs.

Promoting Responsible AI Adoption

The partnership also highlights the importance of responsible and well-governed AI adoption as organizations move from experimentation to actual implementation.

WPH Digital brings expertise in AI governance, including experience aligned with the ISO/IEC 42001 standard, an international framework for establishing responsible, secure, ethical, and well-managed AI systems.

WPH Digital is among the first AI and Digital Service Providers in Singapore to receive ISO/IEC 42001 certification for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems. The company has also achieved ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI systems in the oil and gas industry.

Its experience in AI governance, enterprise technology, cloud capabilities, and digital transformation supports an implementation-focused approach that goes beyond developing AI strategies and concepts toward practical applications.

Under the DOST-III partnership, this approach complements workforce training and technical capability-building, helping organizations explore how AI can be introduced responsibly and effectively into their operations.

Strengthening Philippines-Singapore Technology Collaboration

The MOU also represents a cross-border collaboration between the Singaporean private sector and the Philippine government, bringing international technology expertise closer to organizations and communities in Central Luzon.

According to Sicat, developing the capacity of local businesses is essential as AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday business operations.

“AI is already here, and it is becoming part of how businesses plan, create, communicate, and improve their operations,” said Sicat.

“This training is not just about learning AI — it is about empowering our MSMEs to confidently embrace change and turn technology into opportunities,” he added.

A Model for Regional AI Development

The DOST-III and WPH Digital partnership is also expected to serve as a potential model for similar government-industry collaborations in other parts of the Philippines.

Rather than focusing solely on high-level AI strategies, the partnership seeks to establish a practical approach that combines continuous training, technical capability-building, and support for organizations seeking to implement AI solutions.

In the long term, the model could be expanded from national government agencies to provincial and local government units (LGUs), and eventually to other regions across the country.

By connecting national AI priorities with regional skills development and practical implementation, the collaboration aims to help Central Luzon strengthen its position as an emerging hub for digital innovation while creating a framework that can be adapted by other regions of the Philippines.

Abot-tuhod na baha sa Apalit, Pampanga