BPOs prepare to ride out Du30’s changing moods

With the Philippines expected to move up the value chain in the global outsourcing industry, the information technology and business process management industry is poised to generate close to $40 billion in revenues and employ some 1.8 million workers by 2022.

This meant the Philippines capturing 15 percent of the $250-billion global IT-BPM market at the end of President Duterte’s term, the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said during the launch of the Philippine IT-BPM Roadmap 2022 on Thursday.

According to IBPAP, the targets could be achieved given the “right enabling conditions,” including government support.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo A. Salalima was quick to assure IT-BPM players of continued government support and protection, despite Mr. Duterte’ s controversial remarks.

During his China visit last week, the President announced the country’s “separation” from the United States, a large supplier of BPO firms in the country. His economic managers clarified the Philippines was only aiming for an independent foreign policy.

Salalima urged IT-BPM players to “forget the political noise,” saying Mr. Duterte was sincere in pushing for the growth of the industry.

“We assure you that the (DICT) will build an ecosystem and establish regulatory policies so that your growth aspirations will be achieved … We will continue to fulfill duties and maintain strong collaboration with the BPOs. It is clear that the creation of DICT will make the country a prime spot for BPO industry and we assure you that the same objective and mandate of our department will remain and be pursued,” Salalima told IBPAP members.

Despite these reassurances however, the IBPAP would still see an audience with Mr. Duterte to “personally hand over” the roadmap as has been the custom in previous administrations.

The group also wanted to assure the President that the industry is the government’s partner in countryside development and policymaking.