DAVAO EYES BECOMING PHILIPPINES’ FIRST AI ROBOT-CENTERED CITY

6/2/26, 12:00 PM

During the regular session of the City Council on June 2, representatives from East West International Education Specialist Inc. (EWIES) led by President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Franco M. Layug, together with partner Jeffrey Peter, presented two three-foot AI-powered humanoid robots to city lawmakers.

The demonstration showcased the robots’ capabilities and their potential role in local government operations. Councilors were also given the opportunity to interact directly with the robots by asking questions to assess their communication and response capabilities.

The city hopes to begin utilizing AI robots as early as next year to streamline government processes and improve public service delivery.

They emphasized that AI technology is not intended to replace government employees but rather to assist them by reducing time spent on long queues, repetitive paperwork, and administrative tasks. This would allow personnel to focus on more critical responsibilities and provide more efficient services to residents.

If the initiative moves forward, Davao City could become a hub for innovation in areas such as public safety, disaster response, and information services.

However, the proposed implementation remains subject to budget allocation and further review. City officials noted that the project must first undergo committee hearings before any funding can be approved.

The initiative reflects Davao City’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies and exploring innovative solutions to enhance governance and public service for its constituents.

DAVAO CITY – The City Government of Davao is aiming to become the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot-centered city in the Philippines as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen digital transformation and modernize public services.

During the regular session of the City Council on June 2, representatives from East West International Education Specialist Inc. (EWIES) led by President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Franco M. Layug, together with partner Jeffrey Peter, presented two three-foot AI-powered humanoid robots to city lawmakers.

The demonstration showcased the robots’ capabilities and their potential role in local government operations. Councilors were also given the opportunity to interact directly with the robots by asking questions to assess their communication and response capabilities.

The city hopes to begin utilizing AI robots as early as next year to streamline government processes and improve public service delivery.