PH gets P1.5-B EU funding to boost digital economy
The Philippine government has secured 22.6 million euros, or about P1.5 billion, in funding from the European Union (EU) to support the country’s transition to advanced technologies.
The package pools a 20 million euro contribution from the EU itself, 2 million euros from Finland and 600,000 euros from France.
The fund will cover expenses related to digital technologies related to 5G telecommunications, cybersecurity solutions, artificial intelligence (AI) in earth observation and improved digital connectivity.
Among the key components of the package is the high-speed and real-time application of AI to earth observation data through the EU Copernicus Philippines program. This is expected to help develop smart solutions for disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, food security and infrastructure mapping.
“This will allow the government to better prepare for natural disasters, respond faster in times of crisis and provide immediate relief to Filipino families. And we need this now more than ever,” newly appointed Finance Secretary Frederick Go said in a statement.
Meanwhile, policy support for 5G technology is aimed at improving international and national digital connectivity while strengthening cybersecurity measures for critical infrastructure and services.
EU and Philippine universities that are focused on science and technological research and innovation are also set to collaborate.
Spearheading the projects are the Philippine Space Agency, Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Office of Civil Defense.
The digital economy package is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. This is a strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy, transport, health and education sectors across the world.
