A Coordinated Government Push for AI Accessibility
In a significant move to democratize artificial intelligence for grassroots entrepreneurs, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2026 to jointly develop AI-enabled digital solutions for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
This partnership forms part of the ASEAN Priority Economic Deliverable on AI-Powered MSME Growth, positioning the Philippines as a regional leader in making AI practical and accessible for ordinary businesses. The initiative was initiated by the DICT Office of the Chief of Staff, which concurrently serves as the Department’s ASEAN Technical Working Group Head.
Inside the MSME AI Tech Stack: KaPlano, KaSunod, and More
At the heart of this initiative is the DICT’s MSME AI Tech Stack—a mobile-first suite of AI assistants designed to address the most common challenges faced by small Filipino businesses. The suite is accessible in Filipino, English, and other major Philippine languages, ensuring that language is not a barrier to adoption.
The tools are organized around specific business functions:
KaPlano handles business planning, guiding entrepreneurs through the preparation of bankable business plans that meet the standards of financial institutions.
KaSunod addresses government compliance, walking users through documentary requirements and regulatory processes that often overwhelm first-time business owners.
KaPresyo assists with product pricing, helping MSMEs set profitable prices that account for costs, competition, and market demand.
KaLinaw translates contracts and official documents into plain Filipino, making legal and bureaucratic language accessible to entrepreneurs without legal backgrounds.
KaClick rounds out the suite as a content-generation tool for social media posts and online marketplace listings, helping businesses maintain a digital presence without dedicated marketing staff.
Practical Impact on Daily Operations
For Filipino MSMEs, these tools represent more than just technological novelty—they address real, daily pain points. A sari-sari store owner in Naga City, for instance, can use KaPresyo to determine optimal pricing for fast-moving goods, while a small food processing business in Bicol can leverage KaPlano to prepare the business plan required for a LANDBANK loan application.
The collaboration between DICT and LANDBANK is expected to explore AI applications that assist MSMEs in preparing business plans, organizing documentary requirements, supporting credit assessment, and improving business decision-making.
“Artificial intelligence must create real opportunities for our people, especially our MSMEs that serve as the backbone of the economy,” said DICT Secretary Henry Aguda. “This partnership with LANDBANK reflects our commitment to harness emerging tech and improve access to financing”.
Scaling Beyond Metro Manila
The DICT has also extended these tools to regional MSMEs. In July 2026, the agency introduced the AI suite to Bicol-based entrepreneurs, expanding digital support beyond the capital. This regional rollout aligns with the National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0’s goal of decentralizing technological growth away from large conglomerates and just Metro Manila.
For MSMEs that often lack the financial resources to invest in commercial AI platforms, these government-backed tools offer a zero-cost entry point into automation. The initiative demonstrates that AI adoption does not require massive capital—it requires accessible, relevant, and user-friendly tools that meet entrepreneurs where they are.
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