The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has rolled out a new set of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bicol grow their businesses, while also pledging broader digital support for Naga City’s connectivity, disaster preparedness, and smart governance initiatives.
The AI-powered applications were presented by DICT Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Faye Condez-de Sagon during the LANDBANK Talubo Bikolnon MSME Fair over the weekend, where hundreds of entrepreneurs, government officials and business stakeholders gathered to explore digital solutions for local enterprises.
The tools form part of the MSME Digital Assistant, a suite of AI applications developed by the DICT to address common challenges faced by small businesses—from business planning and regulatory compliance to pricing, document interpretation and digital marketing.
“Harnessing AI will give Filipino entrepreneurs, especially small business owners, a competitive advantage. This stack will definitely empower them to grow, expand, and provide more job opportunities to other Filipinos,” Condez-de Sagon said.
The initiative is part of Magkasangga, a joint program of the DICT and LANDBANK aimed at tackling two of the biggest hurdles for MSMEs: limited access to digital technology and limited access to financing.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda earlier said the partnership combines the strengths of both agencies to accelerate the growth of Filipino enterprises.
The MSME Digital Assistant currently includes KaPlano for business planning, KaSunod for government compliance, KaPresyo for product pricing, KaLinaw for simplifying contracts and official documents into plain Filipino, and KaClick, an AI-powered content creation tool for social media and online marketplaces.
After the fair, Condez-de Sagon also met with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo to discuss expanding DICT assistance for the city’s digital transformation efforts. The Department committed to support connectivity requirements for Naga’s disaster resilience infrastructure and explore assistance for its planned Command and Control Center and Intelligent Surveillance System.
The DICT has been expanding AI and digitalization initiatives nationwide as part of the Marcos administration’s broader push to modernize government services, strengthen digital infrastructure, and improve the competitiveness of Filipino businesses, particularly MSMEs, which account for more than 99 percent of enterprises and employ a majority of the country’s workforce.
“We want technology to become something that MSMEs and LGUs can actually use to solve everyday problems, improve services, and create opportunities for their communities,” Condez-de Sagon said.
