CoinGeek Backstage with DICT’s Carlos Albornoz: There’s a huge interest in blockchain in the Philippines

It’s an excellent time for the Web3 and blockchain industries in the Philippines, Carlos Albornoz, a project development officer at the Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), believes. Speaking to CoinGeek Backstage, he stated that he believes that the country will greatly benefit from these technologies and create jobs for millions of its residents.

Albornoz is currently the project manager for SET PH (Stimulating the growth of Emerging Technology in the Philippines). He spoke with CoinGeek’s Claire Celdran on the sidelines of the inaugural BSV Blockchain Meetup in Manila.

“As the ICT Industry Development Bureau, we’re constantly looking for various emerging technologies that will eventually lead to job creation, especially those providing jobs in the countryside. One of these is blockchain, specifically Web 3.0,” Albornoz said.

Aside from SET PH, through which the DICT is promoting emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, the department is also embarking on ‘Tech Trends,’ an online training program “where we provide relevant information to our fellow Filipinos on what these emerging technologies are.”

Albornoz revealed that in his role at the DICT, he had discovered a lot of local blockchain-focused initiatives in the country.

“We have artists transitioning from Web2 to Web3 and doing NFTs. There are also local chains that are being developed. It’s a fun time for the blockchain industry in the Philippines,” he stated.

The Southeast Asia country is renowned globally for its thriving play-to-earn gaming industry. While Axie Infinity grabbed all the headlines for having 40% of its players in the Philippines, several other blockchain games are thriving in the country.

“Play-to-earn games have been big, and that actually laymanized blockchain technology for a lot of Filipinos, and we’re very grateful for that,” Albornoz said.

Aside from having over 100 million people, most of whom are below the age of 30 and quite tech-savvy, the Philippines has also greatly benefitted from positive regulations by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and other top financial industry regulators.

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