source: PNA
The Philippine government pours its steadfast support to the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in recognition of its huge contribution to economic growth.
During President Benigno S. Aquino III's State-of-the-Nation Address last July, he mentioned the
BPO industry as a vital driver to the growing economy.
In 2011, BPO companies recorded a total of US$ 11 billion in revenues, employing 638,000 workers, up 22 percent from year-ago level.
Not only does it contribute to the economy but creates jobs nationwide as BPO firms have set up offices outside Manila.
Benedict Hernandez, president of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, said the industry has partnered with government institutions and schools to further boost the country's hold as the top destination of BPO firms.
"For the past 12 months, there is unprecedented levels of support between industry and government," he said.
"They want to get us to co-architect the K to 12 program. We're in the core on how to reform the educational system in the country," he added.
The industry trains TESDA scholars, most of whom eventually get hired by a BPO firm.
They have also partnered with the Commission on Higher Education where college students can enroll while in school and learn IT-BPO skills.
Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Louis Casambre said the agency has also implemented key programs to support the industry.
One of the programs include the promotion of the so-called "Next Wave cities" located in the provinces.
In a study conducted jointly by the DOST and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines, the "Next Wave BPO cities" are the following:
Davao City; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Bacolod; Iloilo; Cavite; Lipa, Batangas; Cagayan de Oro; Malolos, Bulacan; Baguio City; and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
These areas are seen to decongest the huge number of BPO hubs in Metro Manila.
In the next five years, Casambre said the most significant impact of the industry is on employment as government is focused on improving the quality of graduates and their chances of landing jobs.
The BPO industry has risen dramatically in the past decade and continues to be on the rise, said Hernandez.
He said they expect the number of BPO workers to reach 500,000 at the end of the year.
"We did a recent survey and according to the survey, we forecast a 19 percent growth rate at the end of the year," he said.
By 2016, he said they hope to generate 862,000 jobs and earn billions.
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