CEBU, PHILIPPINES – On January 16, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) officially opened the first government-backed AI school in Cebu—the PEZA Advanced AI Academy. It’s located on the 4th and 5th floors of the ETO Building, along A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City.
The Academy is a collaboration between PEZA, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the Advanced Institute of Technology, and StackTrek.
Anidelle Joy Alguso, the PEZA Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning, mentioned during the Mactan Economic Processing Zone (MEPZ) Expo in August 2025 that “this AI Academy will equip both ecozone workers and businesses with essential digital skills, from generative AI prompting to automation and strategic AI applications.”
The launch was attended by PEZA Director General Theo Panga, who emphasized that “this initiative is part of PEZA’s ongoing efforts to modernize its programs and services, aligning human capital development with digital transformation priorities and global industry trends.”
TESDA, StackTrek, and Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O) leaders encourage all companies to enroll early and future-proof their workforce in this era of digital transformation.
What This Means for the IT-BPM Workforce
More and more clients want outsourced teams that show strong AI capabilities. When outsourcing providers in Cebu and nearby provinces enroll their employees in PEZA’s Academy, they can bridge the skills gap and become more competitive in the global market.
At the moment, the Academy is offering three TESDA-certified AI programs:
- AI User for essential AI skills
- AI Builder for technical AI development
- AI Planner for strategic AI implementation
Individuals can also enroll in these programs—and for free—as a TESDA scholar.
