Currently serving as chair of Liveable Cities Philippines and chief resilience officer at the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Luz has championed the integration of technology into urban planning and public service. For him, connectivity is not a luxury—it’s a basic need akin to electricity and water.
Connectivity as vital as power and water
“Just in the same way that when you walk into a building or a home and occupy it, you can turn on your power and turn on your water, it would be great if we could turn on connectivity the same way. Just open an account, no additional wiring, no additional gadgets, we can connect straight to WiFi and to the internet,” he said.
Globe’s award is part of its broader Connectivity Champions Program, which honors both individuals and organizations committed to bridging the digital divide. Luz’s recognition highlights his transformative work in embedding digital tools in city governance, public services, and emergency response systems.
A former co-chair of the National Competitiveness Council (2011–2018), Luz has led groundbreaking partnerships between the government and private sector to scale digital infrastructure. Under his guidance, the Liveable Cities Program has helped local governments adopt smart technologies that improve public services and spur economic development.
Unlocking sweeping reforms
Luz believes digital tools can unlock sweeping reforms. “From e-governance and e-learning to telehealth and smart utilities, technology enhances efficiency and accessibility,” he explained. “Digital infrastructure transforms how cities function and how people live.”
Education, healthcare, public safety, and utilities stand to benefit enormously from greater digital integration. Luz pointed to how e-learning platforms, telemedicine, smart surveillance, and intelligent grids are already shaping better urban experiences.
Collective action
Yet, he warns that the benefits of technology will only be fully realized if the nation acts collectively—and urgently.
“We must bring government, private industry, and civil society together to ensure no one is left behind,” Luz said. “The cost of inaction is a wider digital divide and missed opportunities.”
Through this award, Globe reaffirms its commitment to enabling digital equity and supporting visionaries like Luz who strive to make technology accessible to all Filipinos. His legacy stands as a clarion call for digital inclusion as a cornerstone of future-ready, livable cities. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
