01 / policy · jobs
Senate bill would make employers retrain staff before AI layoffs
Sen. Erwin Tulfo filed Senate Bill No. 2563, which would require retraining before any AI-related layoffs and a notice to DOLE at least six months ahead, Newsbytes.PH reported. Employers would also need to prove that their AI adoption is genuine and that no other option exists. Under the bill, affected employees would get at least two months' pay as separation pay.
“We are not only talking about careers here”
Sen. Erwin Tulfo
Newsbytes.PH, 9 November 2026. Read the original on Newsbytes.PH ↗
02 / government · policy
Four LGUs to present AI projects at PLDT and Smart forum
Newsbytes.PH reported that four LGUs built AI tools under the AI-in-a-Box program of PLDT and Smart. The projects come from Cebu City, Baguio City, Lanao del Sur and Cabanatuan City, and will be shown at a forum on moving such tools from testing into regular public service. For Filipino readers, the story shows local governments trying AI for paperwork, services and data, with talks also covering data privacy and cybersecurity.
Newsbytes.PH, 8 November 2026. Read the original on Newsbytes.PH ↗
03 / business
Manila AI forum says most small firms are not ready for AI
Inquirer.net reported that the AI Vision Forum Manila on October 28 focused on how MSMEs and BPO firms can use AI. Chairman Wilson Chua said many small companies see AI as too hard or costly and do not know where to begin. He estimated 60% to 70% of businesses still need to learn about AI, and said AI agent companies at the event can help them start.
“most of the small or medium companies right now, they're not ready for AI”
Wilson Chua, Chairman
Inquirer.net, 8 November 2026. Read the original on Inquirer.net ↗
04 / business · jobs
PLDT and Smart say AI should support customer service staff, not replace them
PLDT and Smart held a learning session on keeping human judgment and empathy in customer service as AI use grows, TechSabado reported. The companies said they use AI in customer service, network management and staff tasks, and they run AI training for employees. Haidee Enriquez said routine work is moving to automation while people take on harder problems, which matters for customer service workers in the Philippines.
“AI isn't making people irrelevant.”
Haidee Enriquez, CEO of MicroSourcing Group and president of the Customer Experience Association of the Philippines
TechSabado, 6 November 2026. Read the original on TechSabado ↗
05 / business
Philippine startup AtoAni places third at regional AI pitch event in Taguig
Philstar.com reported that AtoAni, one of two Philippine teams, placed third and won $5,000 in the Korea-ASEAN AI Youth Festa 2026, held in Taguig City. Its pitch links local producers and cooperatives with market demand. Indonesian startup Peris.ai took the top prize of $20,000 against 23 other participants.
Philstar.com, 6 November 2026. Read the original on Philstar.com ↗
06 / research
Filipinos use AI tools more than most of the world, report says
Rappler reported that 94.4% of Filipinos in the Digital 2027 report by Meltwater and We Are Social said they use AI tools monthly, above the global average of 85.2%. The report also found that 54.6% had used ChatGPT in the past month, against 34.7% globally. The figures cover users aged 16 and above, and they show that AI tools are already part of daily online life for many Filipinos.
Rappler, 4 November 2026. Read the original on Rappler ↗
07 / business · research
Google study counts 42 million Filipinos using generative AI tools
A report from Google, Temasek and Bain & Company says 42 million Filipinos use generative AI, Back End News reported. The report expects the Philippine digital economy to hit $42 billion in 2026. But the average user opens AI tools fewer than two times a week, so for many workers, students and shoppers the habit is still new.
“Filipinos are embracing AI quickly, with 53% of the working population already using GenAI.”
Bennett Aquino, partner, Bain & Company
Back End News, 3 November 2026. Read the original on Back End News ↗