SANTA ROSA, Laguna — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed confidence on the future of the country’s digital industry as he led the grand launch of Vitro Sta Rosa, the first AI-ready, hyperscale data center in the Philippines.

Prior to the launch, the President, along with DICT Secretary Henry Aguda and DTI Secretary Cris Roque was given a tour of the modern, 50-megawatt hyperscale facility in Sta Rosa Laguna by PLDT Inc. Chairman Manny Pangilinan and ePLDT and VITRO Inc. President Victor Genuino.

A hyperscale data center is a large-scale facility that hosts essential computing and networking infrastructure, enabling tech companies to harness massive processing power and deliver vital digital services worldwide.

In his speech, the President welcomed the launch of the landmark ICT infrastructure, which he says signals the country’s readiness “to attract the world’s largest technology companies and showcase the country’s regional competitiveness in the digital space.”

“It stands as proof that the Philippines is future-ready for the digital realm. There is some work left to do but we are ready to do that work so we can be an equal player in the world of data and data processing,” Marcos Jr said.

 “Fully energized. Artificial Intelligence-ready. Built to support hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise workloads, in other words, the Googles, the Amazons, the Facebooks of this world,” he continued.

“As a powerful tool though in the digital age, this mega-infrastructure provides essential protection for sensitive data across the public and private sectors.”

The President in his speech also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s digital capabilities, such as the National Fiber Backbone Project Phase 1, expected to be completed by 2028, and the Free Public Internet Access Program.

“Additionally, to ensure energy reliability as well as create an investor-friendly environment, the Department of Energy, through its Energy Virtual One Stop Shop System, is streamlining the applications and permitting process[es] for energy projects,” Marcos Jr said

“This will ensure that we have enough power to support our hyperscale data centers, including companies that want to build their own renewable energy facilities that can generate power for self-use.”

The President also cited the Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act which aims to equip the Filipino workforce with the requisite expertise that will make them “future-ready, inclusive, and able to thrive in the digital economy.”

“And to our visionary investors, I invite you to come explore the potential of Filipino ingenuity. Bring your technology here! Let us shape that digital economy together—with the Filipino being your greatest asset!” Marcos Jr said.