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| Photo from DICT |
MANILA (PIA) — Cabinet Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. led the ceremonial launch of eGov AI, a new intelligent feature of the eGovPH Superapp, at The Manila Hotel on Monday, marking what officials described as another step toward a more accessible and responsive digital government, courtesy of the Marcos Jr. administration.
Developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), eGov AI features "Kuya A," a built-in assistant designed to provide real-time guidance to help users navigate and access online public services more easily.
Free AI tools available to verified users
Available at no cost to all verified eGovPH users, the feature offers tools for document extraction, image identification, translation, form understanding, speech generation, tourism-related information, and access to laws, policies and guidelines.
DICT Undersecretary David L. Almirol Jr., who presented an overview of the platform, said eGov AI includes several modules built in partnership with other government agencies, including an e-Trabaho platform that helps users build resumes and match with job openings developed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); an e-Tourism AI that provides travel recommendations and itinerary planning; an e-Agri AI developed with the Department of Agriculture (DA) that offers crop and pest management guidance; and a Health AI developed with the Department of Health (DOH) that provides wellness analysis and preventive health recommendations.
Officials cite identity verification, anti-fraud safeguards
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the platform strengthens the digital foundations of government service delivery, including identity verification linked to the national ID system to help curb fraud and scams. He said the initiative reflects the "spirit of digital bayanihan," with government, industry, academe and the innovation community working together to build solutions for the public.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a speech read by Abalos, said the launch of eGov AI reflects the administration's commitment to making emerging technology accessible to more Filipinos, citing a 2024 study showing only 14.9 percent of firms in the country use AI tools, with adoption concentrated among larger companies in urban centers.
"We must make innovation more accessible and equip our people with the skills to use it," Marcos said in the speech, adding that the administration is championing the ethical and responsible use of AI. He cited the platform's electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) feature, which streamlines identity verification while strengthening safeguards against fraud, along with real-time translation tools intended to make digital transactions more inclusive.
"Technology should sharpen our judgment, not replace it," Marcos said, urging Filipinos to use the platform "wisely, responsibly and ethically."
Superapp platform records over 61 million users
Almirol said the eGovPH Superapp has recorded more than 65 million downloads and over 61 million unique users, representing roughly 75 percent of the country's adult population. He said the DICT has also launched a dedicated eGov AI developer platform, allowing members of the public to register and access application programming interfaces (APIs) to build their own AI-powered tools, bots and websites using the technology.
Hackathon winners recognized at same event
The event also featured the eGovPH Hackathon 2026 Awarding Ceremony, recognizing the Top 30 teams among more than 1,500 individual participants who developed innovative digital solutions to support the government's ongoing digital transformation efforts.
Officials from the DICT said the initiative forms part of the Marcos administration's continuing push to modernize public service delivery through digital innovation, ensuring that government services remain accessible, secure and responsive to the needs of Filipinos nationwide. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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