TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 79
25 JUL -3 P4 :01
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
TO PROVIDE AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 
THE GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 10 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that 
"Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The 
State shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and 
their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services. It 
shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological 
capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems and national 
life."
Section 12 also provides that "The State shall regulate the transfer and 
promote the adaptation of technology from all sources for the national benefit. It 
shall encourage the widest participation of private groups, local governments, and 
community-based organizations in the generation and utilization of science and 
technology."
Article XIII, Section 3, however, states that "The State shall afford full 
protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full 
employment and equality of employment opportunities for all."


The debate and conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) have been 
everywhere—whether it really helps people in their everyday lives or it is simply a 
threat to the global workforce.
AI refers to technology that can perform tasks similar to those of humans. 
John McCarthy first coined the term "Artificial Intelligence" in 1955, describing it as 
the science behind creating intelligent machines. Prime examples of AI for business 
include process automation, sales, business forecasting, and virtual assistants. 
Furthermore, AI is an algorithm programmed to complete tasks and actions in a 
human-like fashion.
AI really has a lot of potential—from automating tasks to making it easier for 
complex questions to be answered in just a matter of seconds. Several companies 
worldwide have already adopted and integrated AI in their operations.
According to IBM, 77% of companies globally are exploring the use of AI, 
with 35% already using AI in their operations and 42% in their planning stage for 
future implementation1.
Government agencies globally are acting now to understand AI and its impact 
to the public workforce.
As early as 2020, at least 150 federal government programs in the United 
States used AI to assist with decision making and to make predictions based upon 
vast amount of data and algorithms. Federal states and municipalities are also 
adopting AI in law enforcement, public benefits distribution, fraud detection, 
permitting, employment, and housing, among others.2
1 "Using AI & Big Data To Solve Business Problems: Strategies & Benefits." https://devsu.com/sprint/ai/using- 
ai-and-big-data-to-solve-business-problems#
2 "Artificial Intelligence: Responsible AI Use In Local and State Government." American Association for the 
Advancement of Science. https://www.aaas.org/programs/epi-center/AI


Skills gap is one of the chailenges of the workforce, especially with the rise of 
generative AI. In this light, it is important to train the Fiiipino government workforce 
in AI in order for them to understand these technologies, maximize its potentiai and 
eventuaiiy integrate this sophisticated technoiogy in state operations that wouid 
result in improved productivity and accelerated services for the people.
Government agencies must therefore start training and enhancing the 
capabiiities of civii servants when it comes to AI. Whiie there is an urgent need to 
develop an agile and resilient workforce on the back of technologicai advancements, 
the government must also strike a balance between leveraging AI's benefits, 
managing its risks and capitalizing on the opportunities that it provides.
It is important to leverage AI to better serve the public and future-proof the 
government workforce.
For these reasons, approval of this measure is earnestiy sought.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 79
25 JUL-3 P4 :01
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
TO PROVIDE AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 
THE GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shaii be known as the "Artificial Intelligence 
(AI) Training for Government Workforce Act.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Science and technology are essential for 
national development and progress. The State shall give priority to research and 
development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and 
technology education, training, and service. It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to create in-demand jobs, 
empower industries, spur economic development, and improve the life of every 
Filipino through technological advancements. The State shall adopt a human- 
centered approach for the future of work that focuses on increasing investment in 
people's capabilities, strengthening the institutions of work, and promoting 
sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, and decent work for all.
Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act has the following objectives:


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a) To harness the potential of AI as a positive and innovative approach to
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help the government workforce in accomplishing tasks for a more
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efficient public service;
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b) To understand the rigors of AI, machine learning, and associated
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technologies;
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c) To prevent and detect possible fraud that may affect the bureaucracy;
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d) To reskill, support and develop the workforce and prepare them for the
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future of technology;
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e) To establish a resilient workforce that values agility and continuous
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learning;
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f) To integrate the operations of AI into government service and utilizing
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its benefits;
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Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, artificial intelligence (AI)
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refers to:
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a) Any artificial system that performs tasks under varying and
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unpredictable circumstances without significant human oversight, or that
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can learn from experience and improve performance when exposed to
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data sets;
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b) An artificial system developed in computer software, physical hardware,
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or other context that solves tasks requiring human-like perception,
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cognition, planning, learning, communication, or physical action;
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c) An artificial system designed to think or act like a human, including
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cognitive architectures and neural networks;
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d) A set of techniques, including machine learning, that is designed to
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approximate a cognitive task;
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e) An artificial system designed to act rationally, including an intelligent
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software agent or embodied robot that achieves goals using perception,
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planning, reasoning, learning, communicating, and decision making.
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Sec. 5. AI Training Program. - The term "AI Training Program" means the
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training program established under this Act to be designed by the respective
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government agencies.


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formulate the AI Training Program and shall be the lead agency to implement this
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program.
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It shall also involve other experts from the private, public, and nonprofit
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sectors to enhance and develop the training program.
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Sec. 7. Topics. - The AI training program shall include information relating
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to:
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a) The science underlying AI, including how AI works;
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b) introductory concepts relating to the technological features of artificial
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intelligence systems;
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c) The ways in which AI can benefit the national government;
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d) The risks posed by AI, including discrimination and risks to privacy;
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e) Ways to mitigate the risks described in subparagraph (D), including efforts
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to create and identify AI that is reliable, safe, and trustworthy; and
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f) Future trends in AI, including trends for national security and innovation.
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Sec. 8. Time Period. - Not less frequently than once every two (2) years,
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the DICT shall update the AI training program to:
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a) Incorporate new information relating to AI; and
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b) Ensure that the AI Training Program continues to be relevant to the
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times.
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Sec. 9. Covered Workforce. - The term "covered workforce" means:
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a) Employees of a government agency who are responsible for:
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i. program management;
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ii. the planning, research, development, engineering, testing, and
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evaluation of systems, including quality control and assurance;
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iii. procurement and contracting;
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iv. logistics; or
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V. cost estimating; and
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b) Other personnel of a government agency designated by the head of that
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agency to participate in the AI Training Program.
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Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


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Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any chapter, section, or
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provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid, such parts
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not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
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proclamations, and administrative regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith
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are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,