Philippines boosts digital upskilling to safeguard BPO jobs from AI
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine government has greenlit funding to upskill 340,000 business process outsourcing (BPO) workers annually as AI disrupts global labor markets.
The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) is pushing for accelerated digital transformation, including cybersecurity reforms and a unified e-government platform, to future-proof the economy.
Upskilling BPO workforce critical for AI adaptation
With 14% of Philippine jobs at risk from AI displacement, as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), PSAC secured President Marcos’s approval to train 340,000 BPO employees and students yearly. The initiative targets near-hire candidates and leverages partnerships with tech firms.
MDI Group Holdings Inc. Chairperson Myla Villanueva stressed that upskilling budgets will focus on AI-augmented roles, ensuring workers remain competitive.
The move comes as the IMF warns of widespread job automation, particularly in outsourcing hubs like the Philippines, where 1.3 million are employed in BPOs.
“Government as a Service” model aims to streamline bureaucracy
PSAC proposed a smartphone-like digital platform integrating government agencies, enabling citizens to access permits, payments, and documents via a single portal called the “Government as a Service” model.
The council urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to pilot eGovDX and eGovPay systems while inviting private developers to enhance services through open-data collaboration.
Cybersecurity gaps threaten these ambitions, prompting PSAC to lobby for the urgent passage of the Cybersecurity Bill in Congress. Interim measures include vulnerability assessments and training programs to address the country’s shortage of cybersecurity professionals by 2025.
As PSAC pushes for digital nomad visas to attract remote workers, the Philippines is positioning itself as a regional tech leader.
“These initiatives are not just for tech experts—they are for all Filipinos,” said PSAC’s Sabin Aboitiz, underscoring the plan’s focus on jobs and public service efficiency.
