Vice President Sara Duterte called on hthe business community and government leaders to fully embrace digital transformation as a tool not only for economic growth but also for transparency and good governance.
The vice president stressed this during her keynote speech at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Monday.
Duterte, who also served as keynote speaker at last year’s conference, underscored the need to prepare the Filipino workforce for the rapid technological changes shaping industries and governance worldwide.
“We stand at a pivotal moment in our time, when technological evolution changes the way we conduct business, deliver public services, communicate, and acquire data,” Duterte said.
“Artificial intelligence, data science, and digital media have transformed how we reach markets beyond our borders. While these changes can be unsettling, they have proven efficient, accurate, and effective in addressing people’s needs,” she added.
The vice president emphasized that as businesses and governments adopt new technologies, human development must remain at the core of these efforts.
She also urged industry leaders to invest in training, upskilling, and mentoring programs to equip Filipinos with the skills needed to adapt and lead in a digital economy.
“Digital transformation will be the bridge to the future. We must position our people not just as employees, but as future innovators, thinkers, producers, and entrepreneurs — job creators and economic shapers who will drive our growth,” she said.
Duterte also pointed out that technology and digitalization play a vital role in fighting corruption and improving governance.
“As we digitize, we automate our processes and make government transactions seamless and transparent. We take away the power of corrupt leaders to manipulate public funds and capitalize on people’s money for their personal interests, greed, and political ambition,” she stressed.
The vice president said that technology should be used as a “weapon against corruption” — ensuring checks and balances, preventing arbitrary decisions, and eliminating politically motivated budget insertions.
She added that leveraging technology and data-driven systems can also enhance disaster response, crisis management, and public service delivery, creating a more agile and accountable government.
“If technology is a blessing to modern society, then let us use it to protect the people’s rights and welfare — the right to better governance, better opportunities, and strong political will to hold leaders accountable,” Duterte declared.
Duterte urged both public and private sectors to work together in preparing for the digital future by investing in people, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
“Our readiness for change brought by digital transformation will test our capability and agility in embracing technological evolution,” she said.
“By investing in our people today, we can strategically take advantage of future opportunities and create a stronger, more resilient, and more competitive nation,” she said.
The 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo, organized by PCCI, gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators under the theme “Digital Transformation: Unleashing Its Power to Maximize Opportunities for the Future.”
