MANILA -- Highlighting the need for faster internet, Senator Grace Poe said government agencies need more support for proper telecommunications infrastructure.

Poe lauded the president’s signage of an executive order for Digital Nomad Visas, but said this should come with internet access.

Digital Nomad visas now up for foreigners who want extended stay in PH

“For this to be successful, the internet speed should be better in those places like Siargao, I suppose, Palawan, and other— Boracay— places that can encourage more of these digital nomads to come,” Poe said during the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.) Inc. (FICCI) Tech Summit 2025 on Wednesday, May 14.

“I think more than laws, I think we have to be able to make sure that the infrastructure, the telecommunications infrastructure, is actually strong. Kasi kahit na mayroon kang visa para sa mga digital nomads, kung mahina naman ang internet service mo sa mga isla, eh bale wala, they're not going to want to stay here because they won't be able to do their work properly,” Poe added in an interview with the media.

ENCOURAGING INVESTMENTS FROM INDIA 

During FICCI’s first tech summit, the lawmaker also stressed the need to encourage Indian enterprises to invest in the Philippines.

“And then we've also seen that many Indians are naturally entrepreneurs. They create jobs and they also, of course— they're a peace-loving group here in our country that actually, we've interacted with them. We need to continue to encourage more of them to come in and invest here, especially with the passage of the Public Service Act,” Poe said.

RA 11659 or the law amending the Public Service Act allows more participation of foreign investment, according to Poe.

FICCI President Mahesh Mirpuri also emphasized the “boundless potential” between the two countries.

“75 years of India and Philippines diplomatic relations. It's really more than a number. It's a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship and mutual respect and boundless potential between our two nations. And today, in the spirit of this legacy, we come together to build on it. Not just through policy or partnership, but through service and technology as well,” Mirpuri said during his speech.

According to the FICCI president, they seek to help Filipino companies learn about improving business through technology.

“So it's been great to do this for the first time, and we're excited to have the presenters today, and we're excited for our members who will go home with ideas that they can use to grow their business,” Mirpuri said.

Various exhibitors at the summit presented technological innovations businesses could use to improve operations.