PLDT and Smart’s AI-in-a-Box package for Las Piñas includes an HP laptop, a SmartBro 5G Max Turbo WiFi unit, a smartphone, a premium AI tool subscription, and Smart prepaid load cards.
The Las Piñas City government is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve public service delivery through AI-in-a-Box, an initiative by PLDT and Smart that combines digital tools, connectivity, training, and mentorship to help local government units develop practical technology solutions.
Mayor April Aguilar said the initiative can help the city consolidate information from programs such as green card services, assistance for women and youth, and TUPAD beneficiaries. By organizing beneficiary data, the city aims to identify who has received assistance and determine who may still need support.
PLDT and Smart, with support from the PLDT-Smart Foundation and partners Microsoft and HP Philippines, provided the city government with an AI access kit. The package includes an HP laptop, a SmartBro 5G Max Turbo WiFi unit, a smartphone, a premium AI tool subscription, and Smart prepaid load cards.
The initiative also includes hands-on training for local government personnel to help them identify opportunities to apply AI in their daily work. Conducted by social innovation agency Limitless Lab, the training introduced selected employees to “vibe coding,” an approach that uses natural-language prompts to create and refine software prototypes without requiring users to write code manually.
During the training, personnel from the City Social Welfare and Development Office developed a wireframe for an internal database that could consolidate beneficiary records, reduce duplicate entries, and help improve the delivery of assistance. The prototype is an initial concept rather than a fully developed system, providing a foundation for further planning and development.
Other city personnel explored wireframes for an AI-powered chatbot that could answer frequently asked questions. The proposed tool could reduce waiting times for routine inquiries and allow frontline employees to focus on more complex public service needs.
Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart, said AI-in-a-Box aims to equip local government employees with both access to technology and the confidence to explore how AI can address community needs.
The program forms part of PLDT and Smart’s broader efforts to expand digital inclusion and encourage local innovation. By combining connectivity, digital tools, and capability-building, AI-in-a-Box seeks to help local governments develop solutions tailored to their communities, supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
(L-R): Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar and PLDT and Smart AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement Stephanie Orlino.
Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar
