Iloilo has been identified by the national government as one of the additional locations to support the country’s expanding artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
Under the newly launched Philippines AI+ Infrastructure Masterplan (PAIIM) 2026–2033, the Clark-Bataan corridor will serve as the primary anchor for AI infrastructure.
The Batangas-Aurora corridor is positioned as a primary gateway, backed by Subic and Calabarzon, while Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro are eyed as future regional nodes.
“These complementary sites will be sequenced based on readiness, demand potential, and access to power and connectivity infrastructure,” according to the masterplan.
The USD34.4-billion masterplan was officially launched by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The roadmap outlines the government’s strategy for AI infrastructure development through 2033, aiming to transform the country into a global technology hub.
In a media interview, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the master plan addresses infrastructure gaps that have constrained the country despite its strong AI policy environment.
“From a policy regulatory standpoint, we rank high. What we lack is infrastructure. That’s where we need to catch up. If we don’t create infrastructure, we will really be left behind,” he told reporters.
The masterplan targets a 30-fold expansion in the country’s AI data center capacity, scaling from 50 megawatts (MW) to 1.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2033, with an initial 400 MW deployment slated for completion by 2030.
Of the total USD34.4 billion investment required for the masterplan, public funding is projected to cover USD13.5 billion, or 39 percent, with the remaining USD21 billion, or 61 percent, expected to be contributed by private investors.
By 2033, the masterplan is projected to create over 500,000 AI-related jobs alongside 175,000 infrastructure roles, boosting national GDP by 10% to 12% through productivity gains and digital services.IMT
