DOE wants P5.58B budget for 2027

The Philippines' Department of Energy is seeking a P5.58 billion budget for 2027, with a notable P950 million earmarked for its Information Systems Strategic Plan and other digital initiatives. This includes P491 million specifically for automating the department’s systems into a unified, AI-enabled platform. This move is intended to improve efficiency, transparency, and regulatory compliance, while also reducing opportunities for corruption within the agency. Beyond the digital push, P1.36 billion is allocated for the Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey project, aiming to attract upstream investments by providing higher-quality geophysical data across priority petroleum basins. Another P600 million will procure 60 additional Mobile Energy System units to provide emergency or interim electricity, particularly in disaster-prone and unserved areas. The focus on AI-enabled systems within a government agency like the DOE reflects a broader trend in Asia towards digital governance, but the real impact will depend on effective implementation and data security measures.