Executive Summary: Recognizing the urgent need for digital vigilance in an era of rapid technological change, the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center delivered the #AIReadyASEAN program on November 12, 2025 to Kapitolyo High School, engaging more than 300 students eager to develop their digital competencies and broaden their understanding of emerging technologies.[reference:72] This white paper examines how this initiative is sparking AI literacy among Pasig’s youth, the broader context of AI education in the Philippines, and the implications for workforce development in the Ortigas Center ecosystem. We explore the national push for AI literacy and how community organizations are bridging gaps in the education system.
The #AIReadyASEAN Program: Building Digital Competencies: The #AIReadyASEAN program is designed to provide students with clear guidance, training, and safeguards as AI becomes more present in classrooms and school systems. The Rotary Club of Ortigas Center’s delivery of the program to Kapitolyo High School represents a proactive approach to digital education, equipping students with the skills and awareness they need to navigate an AI-driven world. The program engages students in understanding emerging technologies, developing digital competencies, and building the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate AI-generated content. By reaching more than 300 students in a single session, the Rotary Club demonstrated the scalability and impact of community-led AI literacy initiatives.
The National AI Literacy Push: The Rotary Club’s initiative aligns with a broader national effort to promote AI literacy. In January 2026, President Marcos launched Project AGAP.AI, an AI Literacy Program for basic education students. The program will be rolled out gradually starting in 2026, focusing on providing schools with clear guidance, training, and safeguards as AI becomes more present in classrooms and school systems. Throughout 2026, the Department of Education will conduct a nationwide training program, AI Ready ASEAN Philippines, designed to reach learners, educators, and parents. The Rotary Club of Ortigas Center’s initiative is thus part of a larger, coordinated effort to prepare Filipino students for an AI-powered future.
The Ortigas Education Ecosystem: Ortigas Center is home to several educational institutions. JumpHigh Academy is a TESDA-accredited English language school located at the heart of Ortigas Center in Pasig City, boasting a good studying environment conducive for students to learn English.[reference:73] The University of Asia and the Pacific’s School of Education and Human Development operates on Pearl Drive. GCF International Christian School operates from the GCF Building on Ruby and Garnet Roads. STI College EDSA Crossing is another institution in the area.[reference:74] The presence of these institutions creates an ecosystem where initiatives like #AIReadyASEAN can have lasting impact, reaching students at multiple educational levels and across different learning contexts.
The Skills Mismatch Challenge: The push for AI literacy addresses a critical skills challenge facing the Philippine workforce. As AI reshapes industries and job functions, workers must adapt by developing new competencies. The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines projects the outsourcing industry will employ around 1.9 million workers by the end of 2026, many of whom will need AI-related skills to remain competitive. By introducing AI literacy at the high school level, initiatives like #AIReadyASEAN are helping to build a pipeline of AI-ready talent for the Ortigas Center business community. Working adults in Pasig City enroll in online diploma programs to boost their skills and advance their careers in business centers such as Ortigas and C5.[reference:75]
The Role of Community Organizations: The Rotary Club of Ortigas Center’s initiative demonstrates the important role that community organizations can play in bridging gaps in the education system. By bringing the #AIReadyASEAN program to Kapitolyo High School, the Rotary Club is supplementing formal education with practical, relevant training that prepares students for the realities of the modern workforce. This public-private-community partnership model is essential for scaling AI literacy across the Philippines, particularly in areas where government resources may be limited.
The ESL Industry in Ortigas: Ortigas Center is also home to a significant English as a Second Language (ESL) industry. Companies like OESP, Inc. are hiring full-time office-based online English tutors to teach Korean kindergarten and elementary students from professional offices in Ortigas.[reference:76] These ESL schools and training centers contribute to the district’s education ecosystem and provide employment opportunities for local educators and professionals. The presence of these institutions underscores Ortigas Center’s role as not just a business hub but also an education and training center.
Conclusion and Unique Summary: The Rotary Club of Ortigas Center’s delivery of the #AIReadyASEAN program to Kapitolyo High School represents a significant investment in the future of Pasig’s youth and, by extension, the future of the Ortigas Center workforce. By equipping students with digital competencies and AI literacy, the initiative is helping to build a talent pipeline that can meet the demands of an evolving economy. The broader national push for AI literacy, embodied in Project AGAP.AI and the AI Ready ASEAN Philippines program, reinforces the importance of this work. For Ortigas Center, the message is clear: the future belongs to those who are prepared for it—and preparation begins in the classroom.
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