President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made history at the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) 2023 by becoming the first head of state to deliver a speech via hologram. Addressing the world's largest fintech event, President Marcos underscored the critical role of collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders in transforming the Philippines into a digital innovation and entrepreneurship hub.

The President highlighted the significance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in adopting new technologies to fortify the Philippines' fintech ecosystem. He noted these partnerships are vital for enhancing financial education and inclusion, especially for underserved communities, showcasing the Philippines' capability to address regional and global challenges.

This year, the Marcos Administration's Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) initiated the GoDigital Pilipinas (GDP) movement. This endeavor, led by industry leaders across sectors like agriculture, digital infrastructure, and healthcare, aims to empower Filipinos through technology, fostering a connected and inclusive society.

UnionDigital Bank, a digital banking arm of UnionBank of the Philippines, is at the forefront of the GDP movement. UnionDigital Bank is committed to financial inclusion, offering AI-powered banking solutions to underserved and unbanked Filipinos. The bank has formed strategic partnerships across various sectors, including with Angkas, mWell, and BigPay, to enhance access to digital banking products and services.

During the SFF, UnionDigital Bank highlighted its Customer Lifetime Prosperity Index (CLPI), a unique metric indicating customer financial health. This approach aligns with their mission to foster long-term customer prosperity.

Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank, commented on the bank's strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer behavior to improve financial sustainability for the mass market. He noted that these efforts align with the government's goal of nurturing growth in the Philippine fintech ecosystem.

UnionBank, UnionDigital's parent company, has regularly participated in the SFF since 2018. The 2023 SFF theme, "The Application of AI in Financial Services," resonates with UnionBank's commitment to "Inclusive Financial Growth Powered by AI." This commitment is part of UnionBank's broader initiative, 'Tech Up, Pilipinas', leveraging AI to contribute to national development by improving financial inclusivity and customer experiences.

Here's the full speech of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr:

It is with great anticipation that I represent the Philippines and the Filipino people for this year's Singapore Fintech Festival.

This year's event holds great significance not only for its implications in the development of our financial sector but also for all the sectors that are looking forward to a brighter digital future.

I, thus, extend my heartfelt appreciation to the organizers and the distinguished Chairman of the Singapore FinTech Festival for holding this event.

This will serve as a global platform for sharing, learning, and cooperation, essential elements in nurturing an inclusive and sustainable financial sector.

In the Philippines, we remain committed to fostering an environment that promotes collaboration and propels the momentum of our digital transformation.

In fact, initiatives such as GoDigital Pilipinas—facilitated by the Private Sector Advisory Council—stand among our many promising endeavors.

Apart from this, numerous Public-Private Partnerships projects are also aimed at keeping pace with the rapidly evolving ICT landscape.

The Philippines is likewise cementing its position as a hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship with a dynamic startup scene that holds immense promise.

We invite you to look at these startups and explore potential partnerships to ensure our mutual growth and shared prosperity.

The Philippines also recognizes the growing presence of digital banking and the importance of inclusive finance in our financial landscape so that no one will be left behind in our pursuit of progress and prosperity. That is why we are putting great emphasis on the digitalization of all cashflows—regardless of amount or scale—so that Filipinos can start building a digital profile.

The Philippines also remains ready to adapt new technologies to respond to the demands of our regional and global challenges.

It is for this reason that we keep our FinTech ecosystem open to collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.

I invite you all to join us in shaping the digital future of the financial sector.

The Philippines—with its innovative spirit and openness to collaboration—is eager to work with you in seizing all the opportunities that lie ahead. Let us come together and harness the power of technology to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous world in this digital age.

Thank you. I am certain the Singapore FinTech Festival 2023 be a resounding success.