Converge eyes 200-hectare Pampanga ‘tech city’

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is pushing forward with plans to develop a 200-hectare “tech city” in Pampanga.

This project is envisioned as a hub for high-value digital industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), research and development, and software design.

This proposed development will span two locations—about 20 hectares in Angeles City and 180 hectares in Mexico town—according to Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy.

He said the project aims to address gaps in the country’s technology workforce, particularly in emerging fields such as AI, where formal training remains limited.

“Where is our proper AI education? It’s not there,” he said. “Talent development is not overnight. You need to develop at least three to four years down the road to be able to have proper talent.”

A native of Pampanga, Uy said the initiative is also his way of “giving back” to the next generation as he approaches retirement at age 60.

Seen to be the Philippines’ version of Silicon Valley, the planned tech city is expected to host facilities for research, design, software development and AI. These, alongside laboratories and training centers intended to build a pipeline of skilled workers.

“In tech city, we want to do high-value,” Uy said.

At the inauguration of the company’s largest data center in Angeles City, Uy said he planned to present the proposal to first lady Liza Marcos and local officials, including Mexico Mayor Ruding Gonzales.

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The P5-billion data center, located on a 5,000-square-meter site, has an initial capacity of 12 megawatts. This makes it the largest among Converge’s four facilities.

The data center is designed to support enterprise clients, government agencies and disaster recovery operations, while meeting data residency requirements.

This facility is already being used to support training initiatives, with the University of the Philippines partnering with Converge to train information technology leaders across its campuses.

Uy said the site has room to scale up to 36 MW, depending on demand.