BACOLOD. Negros Occidental Third District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez, serving as head of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Artificial Intelligence under the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, has unveiled a detailed 24-month legislative roadmap. This strategic plan aims to transition the Philippines from being "AI-ready" to becoming "AI-powered" by addressing critical bottlenecks in the nation's digital transformation.
Addressing the "Pilot Trap" with Strategic Reforms
During the Station of the Nation in AI (SONAI) 2026 event held on January 30, 2026, Benitez presented this comprehensive framework. He emphasized that the roadmap directly confronts the "Pilot Trap"—a persistent challenge where AI projects often stall at the prototype stage. This stagnation is attributed to several factors including fragmented data systems, infrastructure gaps, regulatory uncertainty, procurement paralysis, and talent shortages.
The Four Pillars of the "Unblocker" Package
To overcome these obstacles, Benitez outlined the "Unblocker" Package, which consists of four critical pillars designed for full execution by the third quarter of 2026. The strategy includes:
- Enabling standardized and interoperable data sharing through strict privacy safeguards to ensure security and compliance.
- Scaling cloud and compute connectivity nationwide, including the establishment of a National AI Computing Center to boost computational resources.
- Institutionalizing regulatory sandboxes to create controlled environments for testing AI products safely and effectively.
- Establishing a comprehensive trust framework through the AI Governance Framework Act to regulate safety and accountability in AI systems.
Economic Impact and Legislative Consolidation
Benitez highlighted the significant economic potential of these reforms, noting that widespread AI adoption could add $92 billion to the Philippine Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. This represents a substantial 12 percent economic boost, positioning the Philippines for enhanced global competitiveness.
To capture this value, the TWG is consolidating over 20 fragmented bills into the AI Development and Governance Act of 2026. This landmark legislation will feature an AI Bill of Rights aimed at protecting citizens from algorithmic discrimination and unsafe systems, ensuring ethical AI deployment.
Timeline and Key Milestones
Benitez declared, "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." The roadmap sets specific milestones, including:
- Issuance of interim data-sharing guidelines and announcement of the AI Sandbox Program by April 2026.
- Passage of the AI Governance Act in the House of Representatives by July 2026.
- Signing of the act into law and full operationalization of the National AI Computing Center by January 2027.
Workforce Development Initiatives
Complementing these efforts, the roadmap introduces the AI-Ready Workforce 2030 initiative. This program aims to integrate AI education into K-12 and higher education curricula while upskilling more than 30,000 Filipinos through initiatives like Project SPARTA. By fostering a skilled talent pool, the Philippines can better harness AI technologies for sustainable growth and innovation.
