Metro Cebu is taking a major step toward smarter and more responsive public service with the rollout of PLDT and Smart AI-in-a-Box (AIAB) program.
AI-in-a-Box is the PLDT Group’s initiative to make artificial intelligence more accessible to communities. The program combines digital tools, connectivity, training, and mentorship to help local government units turn emerging technologies into practical solutions. As part of the initiative, participating LGUs received an AI-in-a-Box kit that includes a laptop, a smartphone, a Smart connectivity device, and premium access to AI tools, including ChatGPT.
In a simple ceremony at the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Nestor Archival received the AI-in-a-Box package on behalf of the local government of Cebu City, from PLDT and Smart represented by Roby Alampay, FVP and Head of Public Engagement and Corporate Communications, and Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement.
The rollout successfully extends across Metro Cebu, including Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City, which also received their respective AIAB packages. Key personnel from all three cities have undergone specialized training to strengthen their internal AI capabilities and identify practical applications of AI in local government work.
“We at PLDT and Smart believe that technology should help enhance the delivery of public service. Through the AI-in-a-Box Program, we affirm our commitment in assisting LGUs level up service delivery through a more citizen-focused, practical, secure, and innovative technology," said Alampay.
As one of the four pioneer participant cities in the country, Cebu City proudly represents the entire Visayas region in a mentorship and acceleration program organized by PLDT and Smart, with support from the group’s social outreach arm, the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF). This mentorship program is specifically designed to help local offices transform conceptual ideas into practical, real-world AI solutions for faster, more responsive governance. Through the program, participating Cebu City personnel will receive guidance as they develop and deploy AI-enabled solutions that respond to specific needs in their communities.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Mayor Archival warmly welcomed the program, noting that it is heartening for Cebu City to be selected as a pioneer participant and the sole representative from the Visayas. He emphasized that through PLDT and Smart’s AI-in-a-Box program the city will strengthen its use of innovation and AI solutions to deliver faster, more efficient, and more compassionate service to the people of Cebu.
By bridging the gap between advanced technology and localized public service, this initiative underscores PLDT and Smart's broader commitment to fostering digital inclusion across the Philippines. As these local government units integrate AI into their daily workflows, the program aims to establish a scalable blueprint for digital governance that can be replicated in other provinces, ultimately driving nationwide development through shared technological progress.
