President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday lauded the launch of the VITRO Santa Rosa Data Center, calling it a major step in the Philippines’ journey toward becoming a digital economy leader in Southeast Asia.
Speaking at the data center’s grand opening in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Mr. Marcos said the facility signals the country’s readiness to compete globally in the areas of data, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure.
“We now have this incredible facility, which makes us AI-ready and definitely in the running to compete with our neighbors and partners all around the world,” the President said.
“This is a very important achievement,” he added.
The VITRO Santa Rosa Data Center, operated by ePLDT, is the country’s largest and most advanced data center, built to support hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise workloads.
The facility is designed to host digital services for global technology giants such as Google, Amazon, and Meta.
The President underscored the center’s role in extending digital development beyond Metro Manila and into the provinces, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to regional growth and inclusivity.
Describing data as “as critical as water and electricity,” the President emphasized the need to bolster the country’s digital infrastructure to protect sensitive information and ensure national digital security.
“Every time you attend a virtual meeting, pay online, stream a movie—that data passes through a facility like this,” Mr. Marcos said. “We need to safeguard our digital future.”
Infusing the speech with humor, Marcos likened data backups to preserving memories from failed relationships, referencing his son Sandro’s social media habits to draw laughs from the audience.
Beyond entertainment, President Marcos highlighted real gains in the digital sector. He cited the Philippines’ improvement in the Global Innovation Index—from 56th in 2023 to 53rd in 2024—and the government’s initiatives such as the National Fiber Backbone Project and the Free Public Internet Access Program.
The President also pointed to efforts by the Department of Energy to streamline processes for energy project approvals, aiming to secure reliable power for hyperscale data centers.
“We are creating a digitally connected and energy-aware environment that is ready to attract the world’s largest technology companies,” he said.
“This is an investment in the future of every Filipino,” President Marcos added.
The President concluded by inviting more investors to “bring your technology here,” emphasizing that the Filipino workforce remains the country’s greatest digital asset.
