Outsourcing and construction seek state support as they gradually ease into the ‘new normal’
Two of the Philippines’ economic drivers, the outsourcing and construction industries, are seeking state support for a restart as they ease gradually into the ‘new normal.’
Since the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry employs 1.3 million people and delivers dollar inflows, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President Rey Untal hopes the government can be “more aggressive” in selling the Philippines to investors.
“I think the way that we have dealt with the situation and the resilience we have shown will mean a lot in terms of how the demand market sees us as a premium location for outsourcing work,” he said. Since the lockdown, BPOs have been operating at 66.5 per cent capacity.
Meanwhile, Barry Paulino, executive director of the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) says that the lockdown is “the right time to re-plan, re-calibrate, re-estimate and come up with policy reform.”
