ILOILO City – The Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Western Visayas officially launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development Action Plan for 2025-2030 on Friday morning, February 14.
The event, held in the presence of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on AI, included representatives from the academe, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), and various partner stakeholders.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office VI Director Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga led the official launch.
In an interview with Panay News, Gelonga shared the vision for the region by 2030, stating, “We would like to visualize ourselves as one of the most developed regions in terms of AI usage, enhancing the competitiveness of our key economic sectors in the Visayas region.”
The AI Development Action Plan outlines key areas of focus, including:
* Governance and Ethics
* Talent Development
* AI Research and Development
* AI Application in Industry
* Awareness, Acceptance, and Use of AI
* AI Startup Development
* AI Infrastructure Development
* Data Sharing and Access
* Partnerships and Linkages
The plan is aligned with AmBisyon Natin 2040, Pagtanaw 2050, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a goal of positioning Western Visayas as the “AI Hub in the Philippines” or the “Center for AI Development and Innovation.”
Gelonga emphasized that the plan, which was developed during consultations for the AI roadmap on July 26, 2024, marks a critical step in achieving this vision. The launch aims to build awareness, foster partnerships, and strengthen the region’s capacity for sustainable AI adoption, positioning Western Visayas as a leader in AI integration.
Western Visayas is the first region in the Philippines to implement an AI Development Action Plan.
Gelonga noted that while the action plan covers various sectors, there is particular emphasis on the application of AI in fishery and aquaculture, as well as the development of AI-related projects aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.
“One of the sectors we want to fully develop in Western Visayas, as well as other Visayas regions, is our blue economy,” he said.
The development of the AI Development Action Plan, Gelonga explained, is a response to the growing importance of AI as a transformative technology.
“Given the broad impact of AI on our lives and work, we anticipate its influence will only grow as technology continues to evolve,” he said. “At the regional level, we’ve recognized the need to contextualize national efforts and create a more cohesive, organized, and responsive approach to address our specific socio-economic challenges.”
Gelonga stressed the importance of collaboration between government agencies, academia, and the private sector to ensure alignment with a unified direction. This collective effort will ensure that Western Visayas is positioned to harness the full potential of AI while mitigating any risks associated with its adoption.
“Our objective is to minimize, if not entirely eliminate, the possibility of AI misuse while optimizing its benefits for the welfare of our citizens,” Gelonga stated. “This roadmap will guide our development efforts at the regional level, ensuring that AI’s benefits are maximized and its risks minimized.”
The distribution of the AI Development Action Plan 2025-2030 to government agencies, academic institutions, private sectors, local government units, and other stakeholders is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The initiative aims to solidify Western Visayas’ position as a leading region in AI development, paving the way for future innovations and advancements./PN
