Government targets AI governance framework in 2 months

MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking to finalize the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Framework within two months, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

Speaking at the 2026 National Innovation Day yesterday, DEPDev Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the agency expects to complete the AI Governance Framework for the country within two months.

“We will still be conducting some more stakeholder consultations because as you know, as they say, the devil is in the details,” she said.

Under the framework, Edillon said the goal is to have a trusted, inclusive and ethically governed AI ecosystem to accelerate innovation and have a globally competitive country.

She said the framework would be aligned with the government’s national priorities as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan, National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document and the long-term vision or AmBisyon Natin 2040.

“We want an AI development and deployment that will safeguard the sovereignty and long-term sustainability of the Philippine economy and society through the responsible use of AI,” she said.

Edillon said the framework should promote innovation by providing a supportive and adaptive environment for AI research, development and deployment. This includes making sure that the necessary data is available.

In addition, the framework should adopt a human-centered and rights-based approach to AI and ensure data privacy, security and accountability by enforcing safeguards for data owners, developers and users.

While AI has the potential to boost Southeast Asian economies including the Philippines by enhancing productivity, improving services and creating new industries, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that there is still a wide gap in terms of readiness in harnessing the technology between developed and developing economies.

In particular, the gaps exist in terms of digital infrastructure, computing capacity and data systems.

While the Philippines is strengthening these foundations, Balisacan said the governance framework is needed to see what needs to be developed and strengthened to take advantage of opportunities opened by AI in sectors like education, health and agriculture.

Just like other technologies, he said AI can be misused and pose risks.

“There are real risks and dangers to AI, but we need to address those as we focus on the positive side of AI, the benefits to our economy, to our people in the city,” Balisacan said.

Through the governance framework, he said the government wants to ensure that the country reaps AI’s benefits and the technology does not bring harm particularly to women and children.