Philippine IT-BP industry hits 2011 targets, grows 24%

11.04.2012

Hernandez concluded by acknowledging that hitting the industry's targets for 2016 would "not be possible without the strong government support that we are now experiencing." Government has already granted ?450 million in subsidies for training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) led by Secretary Joel Villanueva. DOST's ICT Office (ICTO) Deputy Executive Director Alejandro Melchor III also reported that ?350 million has been allocated by the ICTO to support the IT-BP industry. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has also approved the offering of BPAP's Service Management Specialization Track starting June 2012 and has allocated about ?125 million to SUCs to implement IT-BP programs.

BPAP has also received support from Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Labor Secretary Linda Baldoz, Trade Secretary Greg Domingo, PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima, BOI undersecretaries Adrian Cristobal and Cristino Panlilio, as well as from legislators such as Senator Edgardo Angara and Congressmen Freddie Tinga and Roman Romulo. "The support has been overwhelming and we are beefing up our team and resources to be able to effectively manage the programs that we have developed and that government is supporting," explained Hernandez.

"With this support, comes great responsibility; we are investing in resources that will ensure we make good on our commitments to government and all our other development partners.

"A key success factor," Hernandez added, "is our ability to engage our members and other stakeholders in these programs as volunteer leaders and team members, sponsors, and contributors."