The European Union has launched a €22.6 million Digital Economy Package with the Philippines, aiming to enhance bandwidth connectivity, satellite data access, 5G regulatory support, and cybersecurity. The initiative, funded by a €20 million EU contribution supplemented by €2 million from Finland and €600,000 from France, supports the Philippines' development as a regional digital hub. Implementing partners convened the first Project Steering Committee Meeting on 4 June 2026 in Quezon City.
The package is part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors, while strengthening health, education, and research systems worldwide. In 2025, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro and Philippine Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go formalized the partnership through a cooperation agreement. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the EU Delegation to the Philippines lead implementation, alongside the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense (DND-OCD), in collaboration with European partners Expertise France, Climate KIC, HAUS Finland, and the ministries of foreign affairs of France and Finland.
The package aims to improve connectivity, ensure reliable access to Copernicus satellite data for socio-economic decision-making, and upskill personnel on 5G and cybersecurity. It complements capacity-building efforts under the National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme (CopPhil), using a data-driven approach to strengthen disaster management and climate action. The initiative is expected to benefit Philippine government agencies, businesses, and citizens through enhanced digital infrastructure and skills, while European technology and service providers gain opportunities in the Philippine market. The EU's investment supports its strategic goal of fostering secure and sustainable digital partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
← Atlas › News › Digital & Communication