PHP 5.5-B ESPORTS MARKET: DOST to parents: ‘kaka-kompyuter’ can build a career

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

ILOILO CITY – Parents and guardians should stop treating video games as a mere distraction and start recognizing them as a source of skills and career opportunities, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Tuesday.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the long-held belief that time spent on mobile phones or computers is unproductive no longer reflects the realities of the digital economy.

Solidum said gaming has grown into a multibillion-peso global industry that creates jobs, drives innovation, and fuels entrepreneurship.

Careers in the sector extend well beyond professional players, he said, with openings for programmers, artists, writers, designers, engineers, marketers, data analysts, and other technology professionals.

“To all the parents and guardians out there, perhaps it is time to update the old saying. Because sometimes, ‘kaka-cellphone’ and ‘kaka-kompyuter’ can lead to skills, careers, and even thriving businesses,” he said during the AI Game On! activity at AI Fest 2026.

Solidum said the Philippines is well-positioned to capitalize on that growth, citing data showing more than 43 million gamers in the country, one of Southeast Asia’s largest gaming markets.

He said the Philippine esports market, valued at PHP 1.47 billion in 2024, is projected to reach PHP 5.5 billion by 2032.

“This shows a high potential for the Philippine esports market,” he said.

Solidum said the country is also emerging as a global hub for game development, with local studios producing game assets, animation, and engineering services while creating original titles drawn from Filipino culture and folklore.

DOST has invested PHP 142 million in 18 research and development projects covering gaming, animation, and film since 2017, he said.

The department has allocated another PHP 7.46 million for capacity-building programs and esports tournaments.

Solidum said DOST has also launched game development boot camps, national competitions, and innovation hubs to help students and aspiring developers acquire industry-relevant skills.

“With our esports and game development program, and our initiatives and investments for the creative sector, we believe that one day, this sector will bring about more enterprises that will create more job opportunities for skilled, creative Filipinos,” he said.

DOST also launched the GAME ON! Portal on Tuesday as a central hub for the Philippine game development community.

The portal allows users to discover Filipino-made games, connect with developers, explore industry opportunities, and strengthen collaboration across the local gaming ecosystem.

The launch forms part of a broader government effort to strengthen the country’s digital creative industries, identified as a key driver of innovation, employment, and economic growth under the Philippine Development Plan.

The creative sector gained a statutory framework under Republic Act No. 11904, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, signed in 2022, which lists digital interactive media among the industries targeted for state support.

Esports was contested as a medal event at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines, an early marker of the sector’s mainstream footing in the country.

“With the talent that the Filipinos have in esports and game development, we deserve a spot on the global game arena,” Solidum said.