MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is writing an artificial intelligence (AI) law that devotes more of its provisions to building the technology than restricting it.
The proposed Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act funds computing access for Filipino researchers, pushes AI adoption into small businesses and schools, and reserves strict regulation for high-risk systems that decide on people's loans, jobs and health.
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“We studied Brussels, Washington and Beijing, but we are writing a Filipino law, one that works for the farmer, the teacher, and the small business owner in the province,” said Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental), who chairs the technical working group (TWG) under the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Around 60 stakeholders from government agencies, regulators, industry, universities and civil society groups joined Monday’s deliberations at Speaker Nograles Hall. The measure is a priority of the House of Representatives, with 26 House bills, three House resolutions and one privilege speech referred to the TWG and subsequently consolidated in the draft substitute bill.
The panel refined the bill’s objectives. Participants broadly agreed that AI systems should be designed to support human autonomy, informed decision-making, and meaningful human oversight. The panel adopted language ensuring AI is deployed to enhance rather than degrade human cognition. Stakeholders also flagged the need to address AI’s environmental impact, strengthen the country’s resilience in AI diplomacy amid volatile global supply chains, and build sovereign AI capabilities in support of national security.
In the current version of the substitute bill, most AI systems will not need to register with the government. Registration and safety checks apply only to high-risk systems. Startups may operate under a government-established regulatory sandbox for supervised development, training, testing and validation of new AI systems. Moreover, the bill protects workers affected by AI-driven labor displacement.
Additionally, no Filipino may be dismissed by an algorithm alone, and employers must give 60-day notice and retraining before any displacement caused by AI.
“The goal is a law our innovators can build on, our regulators can enforce, and every Filipino can trust,” Benitez said.
Stakeholders have until July 20 to submit proposed amendments through the Committee on ICT Secretariat. The panel reconvenes within the month. (Contributed story)