The Philippines’ data infrastructure race kicked into higher gear as the Ayala-backed ML1 Data Center officially launched the first phase of its operations on November 28 in Biñan, Laguna, supported by incentives from the Board of Investments (BOI) under the CREATE Act.
ML1, a joint development of FLOW Digital Infrastructure and AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp., has gone live with an initial 6-megawatt IT load, a significant anchor capacity designed to meet the surging demand of hyperscalers, fintech players, cloud service providers, and enterprises in the throes of rapid digital transformation.
Once fully built out, the facility will scale to a robust 36 MW, positioning it among the country’s most substantial new-generation data hubs.
The BOI approved ML1 for registration and incentive grants on November 18, signaling strong government confidence in the project’s role in building the nation’s digital backbone.
With data centers recognized as a priority investment sector, the board highlighted ML1 as a strategic asset in strengthening service reliability, ensuring digital resilience, and preparing Philippine enterprises for the intensifying adoption of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and cloud-native operations.
Officials underscored that ML1 represents more than just additional capacity—it is a catalyst for enabling emerging industries and safeguarding the country’s competitiveness in a regional environment where digital readiness increasingly dictates economic leadership. The Laguna-based complex is designed to meet global standards in security, energy efficiency, and operational uptime, qualities essential for powering mission-critical workloads.
As demand for secure, hyperconnected, and scalable infrastructure accelerates across Southeast Asia, ML1’s entry signals a decisive move: the Philippines is not only catching up—it is gearing up to compete. With private-sector giants and government incentives aligned, the country’s next wave of digital growth may have just found its new powerhouse in Biñan.
