Google to put up Chromebook manufacturing plant in Camarines Sur

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The Philippine Star

January 1, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  Tech behemoth Google and Allied Corp. Asia Pacific Pty. Ltd. have entered into a partnership to establish a Chromebook manufacturing facility in Camarines Sur.

The proposed facility will be located within the CamSur Uptown Global City, a masterplanned development of the provincial government of Camarines Sur that is in the process of being declared a PEZA-registered economic zone.

The project is targeted to begin initial operations in 2026 and will focus on the local assembly of Chromebook laptops and related education technology devices for deployment in public schools nationwide.

A landmark public-private partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of basic education in the country and strengthening local manufacturing, the planned establishment also reflects growing investor confidence in the Philippines as the Marcos administration consistently emphasizes inclusive growth, education reform, countryside development and job creation.

The

project aligns with President Marcos’ economic and social agenda to revitalize Philippine manufacturing, strengthen human capital, and ensure that investments translate into tangible benefits for Filipino families, particularly outside Metro Manila.  Reforms such as the CREATE MORE Law, the Tatak Pinoy Act, and sustained improvements in ease of doing business have contributed to renewed investor interest in high-impact, future-ready industries.

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. welcomed the planned investment, reaffirming the province’s full commitment to support new projects by offering a comprehensive incentive and support package to ensure the project’s rapid and cost-efficient rollout.

“We fully welcome and strongly support Allied Manufacturing’s decision to locate its Chromebook manufacturing facility in Camarines Sur,” Villafuerte said.

“Our province is committed to providing land within CamSur Uptown Global City, low and preferential lease rates, manpower sourcing and skills training, and both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives,” he added.

Local permits will be fast-tracked through a special-purpose green lane to be established exclusively for Allied Manufacturing. These incentives are in addition to national incentives under the CREATE MORE Law and other investment frameworks.

The planned facility will cover approximately 5,000 square meters, with an initial production capacity of 100,000 units per month, scalable to 200,000 units per month.

Each production shift is expected to employ around 110 full-time equivalent technicians, generating direct employment and supporting skills development in electronics and advanced manufacturing. Additional indirect jobs are expected across logistics, supply chains, repair and after-sales services.

Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed strong support for the project, highlighting its alignment with DepEd’s reform agenda to improve education quality through access to modern learning tools and devices.

“Improving the quality of education requires not only better teachers and curriculum, but also access to the right tools and technology for our learners,” Angara said. “This partnership allows us to provide reliable, modern devices that support effective teaching and learning in our public schools.”

He emphasized that locally manufacturing education devices will help address long-standing challenges in access, equity and sustainability.

“By assembling education devices locally, we strengthen our supply chain, reduce delays, and ensure that our schools – especially those in far-flung areas – are not left behind in the digital transformation of education,” he said.

“This is a critical step in leveling the playing field for Filipino learners.”

He added that the initiative supports DepEd’s broader goal of preparing Filipino students for the demands of a digital and globally competitive economy.

“Equipping our learners with the right technology is essential if we want them to develop the digital skills needed for higher education, employment, and participation in a modern economy,” Angara noted. “Projects like this help ensure that no learner is left behind as we modernize our education system.”

The manufacturing initiative complements an unsolicited PPP proposal submitted by Allied Corp., together with Google and PLDT, covering the provision of education devices, a learning and asset management system, and internet connectivity for 1,000 public schools as a pilot program, with potential expansion to all 47,972 public schools nationwide.

“This project represents far more than the establishment of a manufacturing facility  –  it is a long-term commitment to Philippine education, regional development, and inclusive growth,” said Aron Saether-Jackson, CEO of Allied Corp. “By partnering with Google and working closely with the national government, the Department of Education, and the provincial government of Camarines Sur, we are building a resilient local manufacturing capability that supports Filipino jobs while delivering world-class technology to public schools across the country. Locally assembling Chromebooks allows us to strengthen supply chains, accelerate deployment, and ensure that learners – especially in regional and underserved communities – have access to reliable digital tools that will prepare them for a globally competitive future.”