Baguio City is piloting an AI-powered system to help entrepreneurs quickly confirm if their proposed venture complies with local zoning rules, developed through the AI-in-a-Box program by PLDT and Smart.
AI-in-a-Box is the PLDT Group’s initiative to make AI accessible to communities, combining tools, connectivity, and training to turn technology into practical solutions. Early this year, PLDT and Smart—with support from the PLDT Smart Foundation, Lenovo Philippines, and Microsoft—provided Baguio’s government with an AI access kit and three months of hands-on mentorship for city staff.
The result is BIZ Checker, an online platform that lets applicants verify if their business is allowed at a specific location, plus a chatbot named Rolly Bot that answers queries using official government data. Even less tech-savvy users, including people in their 60s, can easily access it via mobile phones.
The tool solves a common pain point: applicants often learn late that their chosen spot does not permit their type of business. Pilot testing also revealed gaps the team is addressing—such as rules for businesses on government property—and the system will be updated as the city revises its outdated zoning ordinances.
Beyond the tool itself, the project emphasizes user-centered design and long-term integration into government workflows, ensuring the system stays relevant and sustainable. Human assistance will always remain available for those who prefer face-to-face help.
Baguio will showcase BIZ Checker at the AI in Action Summit this November. It is one of four local government partners—alongside Cebu City, Cabanatuan City, and Lanao del Sur—building custom AI solutions under the program, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 on innovation and inclusive development.
“Technology for good means using innovation to address real community needs,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “We’re not just providing AI access—we’re helping local governments build capacity for solutions that truly serve their people.”
