By Joann Santiago
MANILA, Oct. 6 (PNA) — President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday cited the big contribution of the information technology-businss process management (IT-BPM) industry in the continued growtho of the country.
In his speech at the end of the two-day 7th annual International IT-BPM Summit held at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, the Chief Executive said employment in the IT-BPM industry has risen from about 527,000 in 2010 to slightly over one million in end-2014.
Particularly notable is the rise of employment in the sector of those living in the provinces, which to date numbers to around 300,000, he said.
Also, the industry posted big leap in reveneus from about US$ 8.9 billion in 2010 to around US$ 18.9 billion in 2014.
President Aquino pointed out that “all administrations have sought to accelerate the development of the countryside through infrastructure development, power generation, an increased focus on agriculture, and the pursuit of industrialization, amongst other interventions.”
He said past administrations “have met varying degrees of success” on this but the Aquino administration realized one important factor.
”Your industry can be non-existent in a particular area today; but, once the facilities are in place—once you see that talent is widely available, the IT-BPM sector takes root and suddenly brings about massive development,” he told summit delegates.
Citing statistics, the President said that for every IT-BPM job generated about 2.5 indirect jobs are also realized and this covers support services from restaurants and convenience stores, to public transportation and housing.
He, thus, noted that the industry not only provided 300,000 jobs in the contryside but also additional 750,000 jobs outside Metro Manila
”Indeed: The IT-BPM industry is a microcosm of our administration’s inclusive growth agenda—where jobs are created all around the country; where our people’s salaries go far beyond day-to-day subsistence, and instead redound to opportunities to better their situations both now and in the future,” he said.
”We want to replicate this kind of success in each and every sector, and in the entire economy. In this endeavor, as with all others, it is our single most important resource, the Filipino people, who will propel us to greater heights,” he added. (PNA)