Philippines boosts IT-BPM jobs amid energy crisis
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine government is ramping up efforts to protect jobs and sustain growth in its key outsourcing sector as a global energy crisis threatens business operations, with the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) strengthening ties with industry leaders to ensure continuity and worker security.
According to a report from The Manila Times, DOLE said it has expanded its collaboration with the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry following consultations with stakeholders, including the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
The move aims to shield one of the country’s largest employment generators from disruptions linked to rising energy costs and supply uncertainties.
Stronger labor protections and industry coordination
DOLE officer-in-charge Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. said the government has committed to safeguarding employment through measures such as flexible work arrangements and subsidized transportation for workers affected by the crisis.
The department is also enhancing social protection programs to cushion the impact of disruptions.
“These initiatives are being mobilized to support workers at risk of displacement as the energy crisis ripples across industries,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said.
To reinforce its response, DOLE has set aside a Php 1.2-billion standby fund aimed at protecting vulnerable workers.
Central to this effort are programs such as Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), which provides short-term emergency employment, and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which offers resources for small-scale livelihood development.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the agency assisted 110,106 workers, disbursing P753.69 million in emergency employment and livelihood support.
Expanding jobs and support for vulnerable workers
Beyond immediate relief, DOLE and IBPAP are working to expand employment opportunities, particularly for young workers, by improving job placement systems and aligning training programs with industry needs.
The agency is also coordinating with multiple government bodies and local units to address broader economic risks. Initial interventions are focused on transport workers to ensure mobility, with plans to extend support to agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Repatriated overseas Filipino workers are receiving targeted assistance through job matching, skills training and livelihood programs in partnership with relevant agencies. Meanwhile, DOLE has conducted 144 job fairs nationwide to connect jobseekers with employers.
Wage adjustments across all 16 regional boards and the planned convening of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council further underscore efforts to stabilize labor conditions during the crisis.
As global uncertainties continue to test the resilience of outsourcing hubs, the Philippines’ coordinated push highlights how labor policy, industry collaboration and targeted support can help sustain growth.
For the IT-BPM sector, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy, these measures signal a strategic effort to not only weather disruptions but also reinforce its position in an increasingly competitive global outsourcing landscape.
