The European Union (EU) is planning to bring solutions to the Philippines’ perennial problem of slow and unreliable internet connection by launching a “digital economy package” to bring “fast and reliable connectivity.”
(From left) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen, who is in a two-day visit to the Philippines from July 31 to Aug. 1, said that the digital economy package EU is planning for the Philippines will turn the country “into a digital hub in the region.”
“Global Gateway will also play a crucial role role here, and European companies are ready to come and invest in the Philippines,” she told reporters during a joint press briefing after her meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Monday, July 31.
The official, who heads the body that shapes EU's overall strategy, was referring to Global Gateway, an initiative that aims to improve smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors.
It will also work on strengthening health, education, and research systems across the world.
This year, EU is expected to launch a “digital economy package” for the Philippines.
“That is we will work together on fast and reliable connectivity with submarine cables on cybersecurity training, and on deployment and development of 5G,” Von der Leyen said.
The submarine cables would be “a possible extension” that EU plans to build “between the European via the Arctic to Japan.”
“And this cable could go all the way down to Southeast Asia. And we believe that it could go via the Philippines that would give you a strategic position on an infrastructure that could be instrumental both for your prosperity and national security. We will stay in close contact on this,” the foreign official said.
Meanwhile, Von der Leyen also underscored the country’s “great potential” as a source of “critical raw materials” needed for a “clean and digital future.”
“So, let us start by identifying projects that we want to develop your local mining industry, supporting your communities, and that contributes to a secure global supply of critical raw materials,” she said.
But this partnership is not only meant to invest in extraction, the official added, sharing that it would focus on the whole value chain.
“We share technology and knowledge. We train the local workforce and we empower local communities and of course, we abide by the highest and environmental standards,” she added.
Von der Leyen is in the Philippines upon the invitation by Marcos when they met during the EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (EU-ASEAN) Commemorative Summit in December 2022 in Brussels.