President Aquino vows support to strengthen country's business process outsourcing industry

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Wednesday that his administration will continue supporting the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry to maintain its leadership in the global market. In his message during the International Contact Center Conference and Expo (ICCCE) in Pasay City, he said the future of the BPO industry lies on the cooperation between the private enterprises, the government, and the Filipino people.

“We need each other to succeed, and we need to face these challenges together,” the President said noting that this partnership allowed the BPO industry to become a model for others, enabling the industry to move forward in the changing market.

Among the government’s contributions include the partnership of the Department of Science and Technology and the Commission on Higher Education with industry stakeholders to boost the Philippines’ competitiveness in knowledge process outsourcing.

The Service Management Program is being implemented in institutions like the Asia Pacific College, and the University of Makati, aimed at preparing individuals for a BPO career.

And to enhance the skills of Filipinos, the government has approached the issues from all levels, the President said. The implementation of the K+12 program and the increased spending for State Universities and Colleges will improve the quality of education and help equip Filipino graduates with the skills they need to be employable, the Chief Executive said.

The government is also carrying out the Training for Work Scholarship Program, or TWSP, to address the demands for skills training in different sectors, he said.

As of August this year, the President said P769 million has been allotted for scholarships specifically for the BPO sector, both under the TWSP and the Industry-Based TWSP.

More than 26,000 have already graduated from the program, the President said, adding that 44 percent of the graduates are already employed.

The government envisions the industry to achieve or even surpass the estimated 2016 figures of $25 billion in revenue and direct employment of 1.3 million Filipinos, President Aquino said as he stressed its enormous contribution to the Philippine economy.

“Behind each success story and achievement you mark are thousands more Filipinos who are earning a dignified and comfortable living, more Filipinos who are able to send their children or their siblings to school, and more Filipinos who are given the chance to find the path to their success in your respective companies,” he said.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)