Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque sent a powerful message to the regional tech community at the Manila Tech Summit for ASEAN 2026, reaffirming the Philippines’ strategic position as a digital powerhouse.
Speaking to a cohort of regional policy leaders and tech innovators, Secretary Roque emphasized that the country’s tenure as ASEAN Chair is defined by a singular vision: a secure, sustainable, and inclusive digital economy that leaves no nation or small business behind.
Secretary Roque pointed to the Philippines’ recent record-breaking export performance as tangible proof of the country’s economic resilience. She noted that the integration of digital tools is no longer a luxury but a fundamental driver of this success.
“Digital transformation is the heartbeat of our modern economy,” Secretary Roque stated. “By championing AI adoption and high-growth, innovation-driven industries, we are not just following global trends—we are setting the pace for regional competitiveness.”
A central theme of the Secretary’s address was the democratization of technology. The DTI is actively pushing for hyper-local digital adoption to ensure that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can:
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Expand Market Access: Utilizing cross-border e-commerce platforms to reach 600+ million ASEAN consumers.
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Attract Global Investments: Creating a transparent, tech-ready environment that appeals to international venture capital.
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Job Creation: Fueling the “Future of Work” by upskilling the Filipino workforce in AI and digital services.
Highlighting the legislative backbone of this transformation, Secretary Roque underscored the critical importance of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). As the Philippines leads the charge, the DEFA is poised to become the world’s first region-wide, legally binding digital economy agreement.
Once fully ratified, the DEFA is expected to unlock trillions in regional economic value by harmonizing digital trade rules, ensuring secure data flows, and simplifying cross-border payments.
Under the leadership of Secretary Roque and the DTI, the Philippines continues to advocate for a “borderless” digital landscape. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem between the public and private sectors, the Philippines aims to ensure that the ASEAN region remains the most dynamic digital market on the global stage.
