MANILA, Philippines — Globe took a leading role in shaping the national dialogue on innovation and inclusion at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E), hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on October 20–21, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

With the theme “The Future is Now: Unleash the Power of Digital Transformation,” this year’s conference called on both public and private sectors to move from ambition to execution in building the country’s digital economy. For Globe, it was an opportunity to advocate for a future where digital transformation is both inclusive and sustainable, powered by strong connectivity and trust.

In the opening plenary, “Connectivity at the Core – The Philippines’ Digital Transformation Roadmap,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz joined DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda and ComClark COO Benedicto Bulatao to discuss how government and industry can work together to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

“The Philippines’ digital ambitions can only move forward if connectivity sits at the core,” said Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz. “Connectivity really enables nation building. It’s the backbone of any great digital economy. We’re one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital markets, but to truly bridge the divide, we need sustained investment and bold regulatory reform.”

Cruz pointed out that infrastructure challenges remain a key hurdle. “Permitting, property access, and deployment are still bottlenecks we need to fix,” he said. “Right now, we have about 40,000 towers serving 115 million people, while Thailand has 90,000 for a smaller population. The gap is clear, but so is the opportunity.”

For Globe, the event reaffirmed its long-standing mission to serve as the digital backbone of the Philippines. The company highlighted the need for closer government–industry collaboration and regulatory coherence to translate digital roadmaps into measurable results that benefit citizens and businesses alike. Sustained investment, coupled with clear and consistent regulation, remains vital to keeping the Philippines on its growth trajectory as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economy and strengthening its position across the Asia-Pacific region.

Beyond connectivity, Globe is driving the next wave of digital adoption through artificial intelligence (AI). The company views AI as a powerful equalizer that can accelerate transformation across sectors and empower both individuals and enterprises to innovate and grow. Globe has also democratized AI internally, giving all employees access to AI tools to build skills, enhance productivity, and scale innovation company-wide.

As the chair of the Philippine chapter of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, Globe has made trust and digital safety a central part of its transformation agenda. The company continues to block fraudulent SMS links and deploy AI-enabled scam detection through its GlobeOne app, initiatives that reinforce the foundation of a trustworthy digital economy.

Cruz concluded with a call for collective action: “The digital economy is growing fast, but to sustain it, we need collaboration, capability, and courage. At Globe, we’re powering that future: one connection, one community, one Filipino at a time.”

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.