CEBU CITY, Philippines (Jul 2026) – Local government offices across Metro Cebu are upgrading their daily operations as municipal employees trade old workflows for artificial intelligence to speed up public service. The new rollout equips local staff with advanced tech tools to handle citizen requests more efficiently.
The initiative, known as AI-in-a-Box, is launched by PLDT and Smart to make advanced technology highly accessible to local communities. The telecom companies brought the program to Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay City to help integrate digital solutions into daily workflows. Cebu City stands as the lone representative from the Visayas region among four pioneer cities chosen for this nationwide mentorship project.
Upgrading town services
Each local office received a specialized kit that includes a laptop, a smartphone, a dedicated Smart connectivity device, and premium access to artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. The package helps government personnel transform conceptual ideas into active digital solutions tailored to their specific towns. Key personnel from all three cities have already completed specialized training to build their internal technical capabilities.
A scalable template for the country
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival accepted the package from PLDT and Smart executives Roby Alampay and Stephanie V. Orlino during a ceremony at the Cebu City Hall. Archival shared on his official Facebook page that the innovation program will allow the city to use artificial intelligence to deliver faster and more compassionate service to residents.
Roby Alampay, the frontline vice president and head of public engagement and corporate communications at PLDT and Smart, stated that the program helps local offices level up service delivery through citizen-focused and secure technology. Supported by the PLDT-Smart Foundation, the mentorship program guides Pinoy civil servants as they build custom platforms for their communities, creating a scalable template that other provinces can easily duplicate.
