Success in voice-based BPO not enough to add value to economy

University of the Philippines (UP) President Alfredo E. Pascual said the country should not be satisfied with the current success in mainly voice-based business process outsourcing (BPO). He said the Philippines can catch up with its neighbors if it can produce high-level human resources. In a study entitled “Knowledge-Based Development and Governance”, Pascual said the country needs to develop more software engineers and other technology experts to really get ahead and add more value to the economy. Pascual said the country’s level of technology remains low in quality and scale and is concentrated in sectors that are not considered high-value. The study was presented to all presidential candidates.