Cabanatuan City takes a huge leap into a smarter future with PLDT and Smart’s AI-in-a-Box program. Under the initiative, the city government will develop its own AI-powered solution aimed at making public services smarter and more efficient.

“We see artificial intelligence as a practical tool for improving governance and delivering better outcomes for our people,” said Mayor Myca Elizabeth R. Vergara of Cabanatuan City. “We are committed to institutionalizing this initiative and integrating it into our operations. This is part of our broader vision of building a smarter, more responsive city government that listens, acts, and serves more effectively.”

With support from PLDT-Smart Foundation and Microsoft Philippines, AI-in-a-Box is the PLDT Group’s initiative to make artificial intelligence more accessible to communities, combining digital tools, connectivity, and training to help organizations and local governments turn emerging technologies into practical solutions. Each kit includes a laptop, a smartphone, a connectivity device, and premium access to AI tools.

“AI-in-a-Box is about helping communities turn innovation into tangible benefits for the people they serve. By giving local governments access to practical AI tools and training, we hope to support more responsive public services, strengthen digital capabilities, and create more opportunities for Filipinos to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” said Roby A. Alampay, FVP and Head of Public Engagement at PLDT and Smart.

Key personnel from different city government offices have been brought in for the AI mentorship and acceleration program. In the next few months, these Cabanatuan City LGU personnel will develop a centralized query platform that will receive citizen concerns, and route them to the appropriate office. Powered by AI, the system is expected to streamline public feedback management and help shorten response times for requests and inquiries. The city plans to integrate the solution into the existing MyCabanatuan application.

As Cabanatuan City begins its AI Mentorship journey together with PLDT and Smart, it becomes one of several local government units exploring how technology can help make public services more responsive and accessible.

The city joins Baguio City, Cebu City, and the province of Lanao del Sur, which have likewise partnered with PLDT and Smart to tap AI-enabled solutions for local governance.

Through AI-in-a-Box, PLDT and Smart provide participating communities with access to digital tools, training, and mentorship as they build solutions designed to address local concerns. The initiative supports the PLDT Group’s much broader efforts to expand digital inclusion and encourage innovation in line with the UNSDG 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.