Philippines to get its first blockchain-enabled microlearning platform
Filipino EduTech firm Bitskwela has launched BitDev, a blockchain-enabled developer microlearning platform designed to help transform Web2 developers into job-ready Web3 builders. The launch marks the first platform of its kind in the Philippines, aiming to grow the country’s blockchain talent pool amid rising global demand for Web3 skills.
According to a 2023 report on Worldwide Blockchain and Web3 Developer Statistics, only 203 of the Philippines’ 190,000 software developers currently focus on blockchain development, highlighting a significant skills gap in the country’s tech sector.
Bitskwela CEO Jiro Reyes said the shortage of talent presents both a challenge and a major opportunity. “At Bitskwela, we believe in bridging the gap by tapping into the potential of our already talented Filipino Web2 developers. Our vision is to transform the Philippines into a hub of world-class blockchain builders, and the BitDev platform is a step closer towards that,” he said.
A hands-on platform built for real-world needs
BitDev is powered by a specialised Integrated Development Environment (IDE), a software approach widely used among global Web3 developers. The platform is designed to simplify the often steep learning curve associated with blockchain development, covering everything from understanding gas fees to compiling smart contract code.
Bitskwela Chief Product and Technology Officer Camille Puentespina said the platform was created with accessibility and usability as top priorities. “BitDev is designed by developers for developers. Our goal is to make the platform as easy as possible to navigate the world of Web3,” she said. “This achievement marks Bitskwela’s role in making the Philippines keep up with the rising blockchain technology throughout the globe.”
Through a built-in Live Editor tool, students can develop real Web3 projects, including smart contracts, cryptocurrency wallets, Web3-enabled mobile apps, blockchains, decentralised exchanges (DEXs), and decentralised applications (DApps). BitDev supports multiple programming languages, including Solidity, Move, Python, Javascript, HTML, and CSS, allowing developers to bridge existing Web2 skills into new Web3 capabilities.
Expanding blockchain education in Philippine universities
Bitskwela has also partnered with a growing number of local universities, including Dr Yanga’s Colleges Inc. (DYCI) and the Philippine Women’s University (PWU), to make blockchain education more accessible to students.
DYCI president Michael Yanga said the partnership supports a new level of transparency and digital literacy in the next generation of developers. “The partnership of Dr Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. with the visionary Bitskwela is a breakthrough in advancing blockchain technology,” he noted. “Teaching this to the youth will make them the vanguards of truth and integrity at present and in the future.”
Bitskwela plans to integrate BitDev into university curricula, enabling students to access self-paced modules, blockchain-issued certifications, and project-based training at student-friendly price points.
Chief Operating Officer Vince Edralin said the initiative supports both national digital literacy and job readiness. “By enhancing digital literacy among future web developers, BitDev increases the employability of Filipino IT students—all while encouraging their participation in the expansion of blockchain development in the Philippines,” he said.
Philippines’ on Education Center for AI Research
In February, the country’s Department of Education (DepEd) launched the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR). This initiative aims to revolutionise the education system by driving innovation in the educational landscape using AI-powered solutions. The initiative aligns with the government’s push for digital transformation as it embraces technology to drive progress in various sectors, including education and governance. Integration of AI and education helps E-CAIR support the government’s goal of making the Philippines a leader in digital innovation in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is sprinting ahead in the blockchain space, fuelled by a young, digitally native population and a hunger for innovation. The country has become a beacon of cryptocurrency adoption in Southeast Asia. With a median age of 26.1, the Philippines boasts a digitally fluent, mobile-first generation. This group is driving the country’s appetite for decentralised technologies, cryptocurrencies, and Web3 platforms.
