The European Union has committed a total of €22.6 million (₱1.536 billion) in new development assistance to accelerate the Philippines’ digital transition, following the signing of the EU-Philippines Digital Economy Package Wednesday (19 November 2025).
The package includes €20 million (₱1.36 billion) directly from the EU, plus €2 million (₱136 million) from Finland and €600,000 (₱40.8 million) from France. The partnership aims to strengthen key areas of the country’s digital ecosystem: 5G policy support, cybersecurity, digital connectivity, and AI-powered earth observation technologies.
According to a news release from the EU Delegation in Manila, the initiative forms part of Global Gateway, the EU’s worldwide strategy to expand smart, clean, and secure digital, energy, and transport networks and reinforce research, education, and health systems.
EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro said the substantial funding reflects Europe’s commitment “to support digital technology for societal advancement,” adding that the partnership will accelerate “inclusive and sustainable digital transformation” in the Philippines.
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said this will impact the country’s disaster preparedness, noting that the project will enable high-speed, real-time access to Copernicus satellite data. “This will allow the government to better prepare for natural disasters, respond faster in times of crisis, and provide immediate relief to Filipino families. And we need this now more than ever,” he said.
A major component of the cooperation is the expanded EU Copernicus Philippines program, which uses satellite earth observation and AI analytics to guide government action on disaster risk reduction, environmental management, food security, and infrastructure mapping. Increased access to Copernicus data is expected to boost both public sector decision-making and private sector productivity.
The partnership will also deepen cooperation between EU and Philippine universities in science, technology, and innovation, particularly in frontier tech fields.
In addition, the package supports the Philippines’ transition to next-generation connectivity by strengthening 5G policies, expanding international and domestic digital links, and building robust cybersecurity frameworks to protect critical infrastructure.
The program will be jointly implemented by the Philippine Space Agency, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Office of Civil Defense, together with European counterparts.