AS CEBU rises as a digital innovation hub, industry leaders are calling for “courageous transformation” not just in technology adoption, but in the way the country educates its future workforce.
Speaking at the recently held Globe Business G Summit 2025, Michelle Alarcon, founding president of the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP), warned that the country’s AI ambitions could be derailed by a more fundamental issue: functional illiteracy among senior high school graduates.
“Disruption should no longer be feared. It should be created from within,” said Alarcon. “But we can’t build a digital future on a foundation that’s not even functionally literate.”
Citing alarming statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Alarcon said many students, while formally educated, are unable to apply basic concepts in real-world settings, a disconnect that threatens the nation’s capacity to keep pace with the global knowledge economy.
“It’s not just about emotional intelligence or technology quotient. This is a system-wide readiness problem,” she said, adding that real transformation will require coordinated efforts from government, private sector and academia.
This message gains urgency as Cebu, long a business stronghold, is being positioned as a national leader in tech-driven growth. According to Globe Business Strategic Marketing head Glenn Estrella, Cebu’s economic strength and strategic location make it a key player in digital acceleration.
“Cebu has been the richest province for the last nine years. Imagine what more it can do with the right technology,” Estrella said.
Alarcon and Estrella both emphasized that the AI revolution must be inclusive, involving small and medium enterprises, rural communities and universities, not just large corporations or tech startups.
“We founded AAP because we couldn’t leave this transformation to chance,” said Alarcon. “We’re now 150 corporate members strong, with thousands of individuals and dozens of schools onboard. This is about co-creating a future where everyone has a seat at the AI table.”
Globe is playing an enabling role through its suite of digital transformation services — from cloud and cybersecurity to data analytics and productivity tools.
But Estrella noted that connectivity is just the beginning. “We help businesses go beyond the basics — guiding them toward full digital integration.”
Still, Alarcon cautioned that digital readiness begins not with advanced tools, but with the basics: literacy, comprehension and critical thinking.
“Building a tech-powered Philippines starts with a literate, functional foundation,” she said. “In the short term, public-private partnerships can help. But if we’re serious about competing globally, we need a national strategy to transform education at its core.”
She acknowledged ongoing efforts from groups like the Private Sector Advisory Council, which works closely with the Office of the President to align education with industry needs. But progress remains incremental.
“If I could say we’ve solved it, I would,” Alarcon said. “But the truth is, we’re still a work in progress. And the whole nation needs to be behind this.” / KOC