PLDT, Smart bring practical AI tools to Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental LGUs

• Contributed photo

PLDT and Smart Communications are supporting the use of artificial intelligence in local government operations by providing tools, connectivity, and training to government employees in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental.

Through the companies’ AI-in-a-Box program, employees are exploring how AI can assist with routine public service work, including drafting memoranda, preparing official communications, and creating other office documents.

The initiative builds on an AI training program previously conducted by PLDT and Smart for local government units. Following the training, the Cagayan de Oro City Government held its own AI orientation for employees from different offices.

“The biggest lesson for our employees was realizing that getting better results from AI starts with asking better questions,” said MJ Meca, assistant department manager of the City Management Information Systems and Innovation Department of the Cagayan de Oro City Government.

“As they learned how to write more effective prompts, they also became more confident using AI to support their day-to-day work,” Meca added.

Launched in 2025, AI-in-a-Box combines digital equipment, connectivity, access to AI platforms, and capacity-building activities to support the practical adoption of emerging technologies in communities and government offices.

PLDT and Smart, with support from the PLDT-Smart Foundation, recently turned over AI-in-a-Box kits to the Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental provincial governments.

Each kit includes a laptop, Smart 5G Max Turbo WiFi device, mobile phone, initial Smart Prepaid load cards, and premium access to AI tools.

Roby Alampay, head of PLDT and Smart’s Public Engagement Group, said the program aims to guide local governments in adopting AI strategically and responsibly.

“The goal is to help LGUs use AI effectively and responsibly, while showing how it can empower government offices to serve their communities better,” Alampay said.

“We also hope to encourage local governments to adopt a more strategic approach to AI so they can maximize its benefits across different programs and services,” he added.

The turnover followed an AI training session held in April, where government employees learned about the practical, safe, ethical, and responsible use of AI in the workplace.

Participants were also trained to write effective prompts, evaluate AI-generated responses, and identify appropriate uses of the technology in a government setting.

The Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental said combining access to AI tools with practical training could improve government processes and the quality of employees’ work.

“The training helped us maximize AI by teaching us how to write better prompts, resulting in outputs that are more accurate, relevant, and useful for our work,” said Engr. Candido B. Balaba Jr., head of the Project Monitoring and Inspection System of Misamis Oriental.

The initiative forms part of PLDT and Smart’s #KonektedforEducation advocacy and broader digital inclusion programs aimed at strengthening local digital capabilities and encouraging responsible innovation in public service.

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