MANILA, Philippines - Will President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to cut military and economic ties with the United States of America affect the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry in the country?
With almost 1.3 million Filipino employees and $25 billion revenue for 2016, the BPO industry has definitely made a huge impact on our country’s economy. BPO industry employees can’t help but get alarmed over Duterte’s recent pronouncement and fiery statements against the US and the European Union as 70% of BPO investments in the Philippines are from US.
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said in a statement: “We continue to monitor the developments given President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s pronouncement yesterday regarding our military and economic ties with the US.”
IBPAP also revealed that they plan to discuss their industry concerns on PH separation from US with the firebrand leader.
“IBPAP has formally reached out to the Office of the President to secure an audience with and directly discuss our industry’s asks from Government.”
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella emphasized that the separation of the Philippines from US will not affect the BPO industry in the country.
“We want to reassure the industries that the separation is not severance of relationship of economic ties,” Abella told the press.
Watch the video report.
Not a Divorce
For Presidential Consultant on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, a “divorce” between the Philippines and the US will not happen. He believes that Duterte made strong statements against the US with the intention to mend relationship with China.
"He wants us to continue our relationship with America, but not follow what America wants us to do—that’s what he is trying to say,” Concepcion explained.
According to Concepcion, the Philippines can’t really set aside the US, its long-time partner. However, he believes that the US should allow the Philippines to “grow up” and make our own judgement on certain issues.
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| What awaits 1.3 million BPO employees in the country after the PH’s separation from the US? PHOTO CREDIT: PhilStar |
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said in a statement: “We continue to monitor the developments given President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s pronouncement yesterday regarding our military and economic ties with the US.”
IBPAP also revealed that they plan to discuss their industry concerns on PH separation from US with the firebrand leader.
“IBPAP has formally reached out to the Office of the President to secure an audience with and directly discuss our industry’s asks from Government.”
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella emphasized that the separation of the Philippines from US will not affect the BPO industry in the country.
“We want to reassure the industries that the separation is not severance of relationship of economic ties,” Abella told the press.
Watch the video report.
Not a Divorce
For Presidential Consultant on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, a “divorce” between the Philippines and the US will not happen. He believes that Duterte made strong statements against the US with the intention to mend relationship with China.
"He wants us to continue our relationship with America, but not follow what America wants us to do—that’s what he is trying to say,” Concepcion explained.
According to Concepcion, the Philippines can’t really set aside the US, its long-time partner. However, he believes that the US should allow the Philippines to “grow up” and make our own judgement on certain issues.
--Mini, The Summit Express
