POLANGUI, Albay — Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General, Secretary Francisco ‘Kiko’ Benitez, has hailed the launching here of the Albay Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI4AI), which is regarded as the very first micro credential program for AI in the Philippines.
Benitez also praised Albay 3rd District Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda for conceiving and spearheading the project which goes on record as the first local government unit (LGU)—led permanent learning center of its kind. Polangui town in Albay hosts the institute.
“Maswerte kayo, mga taga-3rd district ng Albay. You have a congressman who takes the lead in promoting skills development and education,” Secretary Benitez said in an online message released during the event, titled Training on the Effective and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Micro-credential Program.
Some 344 participants from all over Albay joined the training event via Zoom. The activity was organized by TESDA Albay, but the training design and contents were put together by AI4AI key staff personnel themselves.
Established by Municipal Ordinance No. 69 passed by the Polangui Sangguniang Bayan, the AI4AI facility was established and set up in a piece of land donated by former Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the young lawmaker’s uncle.
Benitez, in his speech during the launch, stressed the importance of responsible and ethical use of AI, and praised Albay province for being the very first Philippine LGU to have such new technology learning facility.
Rep. Salceda said AI4AI doesn’t offer ordinary AI courses that teach via essay writing or video and image creation and editing. Its program focuses on the design of simple and advanced tools with real-world utility, such as accounting utilities, file converters, and other productivity apps through the use of HTML and JavaScript.
“The true AI revolution lies in natural language processing, which is its real breakthrough. You can work by just talking to computers. So, hindi na limitado ang paggawa ng mga ‘programs’ at ‘apps’ sa mga marunong lang mag-code, dahil ‘Code; na mismo ang ’human language,’” Salceda explained.
“Kaya sayang lang po kung gagamitin lang ito sa paggawa ng mga ‘essay, videos,’ o ‘images.’ Nasa kamay na po ng bawat isa sa atin ang maging ‘computer programmer.’ At kaya na nating i-customize ang mga programa sa kung ano talaga ang kailangan natin,” the lawmaker added.
To prove this point, AI4AI has created some new tools, among them a chat-based tutor for those who want to study Alternative Learning System (ALS), wherein students can ask or learn their modules by merely using Facebook Messenger. AI4AI also teaches learners how to design basic tools suited for daily needs.
Salceda said those with advance skills will be given advanced programs. AI4AI and the Bicol University Polangui campus will soon formalize and firm up a partnership agreement to teach computer science majors how to design AI-powered solutions, like prototyping and the creation of AI-enhanced applications for community needs.
The lawmaker has recently filed a resolution in Congress that seeks to position Albay as a regional hub for AI education and workforce development. The HR 170 he filed urges TESDA to extend full support for the establishment of an AI Readiness Institute in Polangui, Albay.
He said the proposal aligns with the Philippines’ urgent need to prepare its workforce for the expected and upcoming Fourth Industrial Revolution, a period marked by rapid innovations in automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
According to the resolution, AI now plays a critical role in sectors such as business process outsourcing, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, healthcare, education, and public service delivery.