BACOLOD City – A comprehensive 24-month legislative roadmap aimed at accelerating the country’s transition from being artificial intelligence (AI)-ready to fully AI-powered was presented by Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez during the State of the Nation on Artificial Intelligence (SONAI) 2026 on January 30.
The plan seeks to fast-track the large-scale deployment of AI across government and industry while addressing long-standing barriers that have slowed the country’s digital transformation.
The roadmap addresses what policymakers described as the “pilot trap,” a pattern in which AI initiatives remain stuck at the prototype stage due to fragmented data systems, infrastructure gaps, regulatory uncertainty, procurement delays, and a shortage of skilled professionals.
To overcome these challenges, the strategy introduces a four-pillar “Unblocker Package” targeted for full implementation by the third quarter of 2026.
The approach begins with enabling standardized and interoperable data-sharing systems with strict privacy safeguards, followed by the nationwide scaling of cloud and compute connectivity, including the establishment of a National AI Computing Center.
It also institutionalizes regulatory sandboxes to create controlled environments for testing AI products and establishes a comprehensive trust framework to ensure safety and accountability through the proposed AI Governance Framework Act.
Benitez, who heads the Technical Working Group (TWG) on AI under the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, said the reforms could significantly boost the Philippine economy.
He cited projections showing that AI adoption could add up to $92 billion to the country’s gross domestic product by 2030, equivalent to a 12-percent increase.
To realize this potential, the TWG is consolidating more than 20 fragmented AI-related bills into a unified AI Development and Governance Act of 2026.
The proposed measure will include an AI Bill of Rights aimed at protecting citizens from algorithmic discrimination, data abuse, and unsafe AI systems.
“The era of pilots and endless potential is over. The era of scaled deployment and tangible benefits begins now. This is a nation-building project on par with electrification or universal education,” Benitez said.
The roadmap outlines a phased implementation timeline, with initial milestones set for April 2026, including the issuance of interim data-sharing guidelines and the launch of the AI Sandbox Program.
Subsequent phases will focus on infrastructure rollout, regulatory frameworks, and full-scale AI integration across sectors.
The initiative positions the Philippines to harness artificial intelligence for economic growth, improved public services, and enhanced digital competitiveness while ensuring strong safeguards for data privacy, accountability, and citizen protection./PN
