MANILA – The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has launched its AI-powered chatbot, POLA or the PDIC Online Assistant, as part of its ongoing digital transformation efforts to provide faster and more accessible public service.

The chatbot, officially introduced during a ceremony at the PDIC Chino Building in Makati City on October 14, 2025, aims to make PDIC’s services more accessible to clients and stakeholders by offering real-time, user-friendly information through the agency’s website, www.pdic.gov.ph. Plans are underway to expand access through Facebook Messenger via PDIC’s official page.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Commissioner for Professionalization and Cooperation Atty. Judith A. Dongallo-Chicano, PDIC President and CEO Roberto B. Tan, and CSC NCR Field Office Director Cesar Garduque Jr. led the launch, which coincided with the culmination of the Civil Service Month celebration.

Assistant Commissioner Chicano lauded the initiative as a “beacon of innovation in public service,” emphasizing that it demonstrates how technology can uphold the principle that public office is a public trust.

“Puso sa serbisyo is that genuine desire to give efficient and effective service, that willingness to go the extra mile. This is demonstrated in all the mechanisms you have in place to provide a safety net for depositors,” she said in her keynote message.

PDIC President Tan said the introduction of POLA marks “a key convergence of innovation and service in a digital age.”

“POLA is designed to enhance our ability to respond quickly, accurately, and efficiently to public inquiries – especially as we see a growing number of tech-savvy depositors, closed bank clients, and other stakeholders engaging with us online,” Tan said.

He assured the public that traditional service channels, such as the PDIC Public Assistance Center, will continue to operate alongside digital tools to ensure that “no one is left behind” in the Corporation’s digital transformation.

“Regardless of the channel — online or face-to-face — our commitment remains the same: timely, accurate, and personalized service for every Filipino we serve,” Tan added.

POLA is part of PDIC’s Customer Handling System, a centralized platform that manages queries, requests, and complaints across multiple service channels to improve response speed and efficiency.

The launch capped the Civil Service Month celebration and reaffirmed PDIC’s commitment to protecting depositors and promoting financial stability through continuous innovation.

“We look forward to serving our clients better, faster, and smarter — not just today, but for years to come,” Tan said.