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The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) affirmed Boholโs rising status as a new frontier for the IT-BPM sector, citing its ready talent pool, government support, and improving infrastructure.
During the Bohol IT-BPM Forum held at the Ceremonial Hall of the Bohol Provincial Capitol on Thursday, July 18, IBPAP President and CEO Jack Madrid emphasized that Bohol is no longer just an โemergingโ site but well on its way to becoming a scalable and talent-ready hub.
โThis is why Bohol matters, not only for the Visayas, but for the Philippines, being a global leader in IT-BPM. We need to work together to build the brand of Bohol,โ Madrid said.
There are currently four existing locators in Bohol: Ibex, TaskUs, Sagility, and GenPact. These companies employ approximately 5,000 Boholanos.
But according to Madrid, this number could potentially double to 10,000 in the medium term as more companies are eyeing Tagbilaran City as a site.
In his speech, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado emphasized that Bohol offers more than just scenic views; it is also a great and well-equipped business destination.
โOur province offers a powerful combination: a growing and dedicated talent pool nurtured by strong academe linkages, steadily improving digital infrastructure, and proactive support from the Provincial Government,โ he said.
The governor also highlighted the forthcoming Bohol Business Park, which is specifically designed to welcome new investments in the IT-BPM sector.
He reported continued discussions with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon to designate the provincial government as the administrator of the Old Airport property to transform it into the Bohol Business Park.
Dubbed as โBeyond the View: Turning Local Assets into a Global IT-BPM Opportunity,โ the Bohol IT-BPM Forum was attended by representatives from the academe, business sector, government officials, IT-BPM locators, and member companies of the IBPAP.
๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ต๐ผ๐นโ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐
Madrid and other forum speakers stressed the importance of digital talent development to ensure long-term growth. He noted that Filipino IT-BPM workers, whom he refers to as โDigital Filipino Workers,โ are known for their professionalism, adaptability, and empathy.
These, he said, are all critical in todayโs AI-augmented landscape.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 7 Project Development Officer Cheff Cardoso echoed this sentiment as she presented a four-pronged strategy to strengthen Boholโs digital talent pipeline.
This includes: (1) strengthening industry-academe linkages, (2) expand upskilling and reskilling initiatives, (3) cultivate digital confidence, and (4) build digital infrastructure.
โBy investing in digital talent, weโre not just preparing Boholanos for jobsโweโre preparing them for the world, while empowering them to stay and thrive in the place they call home,โ she said.
Executives from leading IT-BPM firms like Sagility and Sutherland also shared insights on why they are betting on Bohol.
Sagility Executive Vice President and Chief Delivery Officer Mohit Saxena said they saw tremendous talent in Bohol, paired with the support from the Provincial Government of Bohol.ย
This, he said, was enough for them to make a strategic investment in Bohol.
Bernice Villaran of Sutherland Global Services also shared that what they are looking for in provincial sites are the infrastructure and the talent pool.
She shared how Sutherland has been investing in the countryside over the past year. The company is currently located in eight provincial areas and only two sites in Manila.
๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ข๐๐๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ
Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (BEDIPO) Head Maria Fe Dominise underscored that IT-BPM is being cultivated as Boholโs โthird economic pillar,โ alongside agriculture and tourism.
With 1.4 million residents, 68 percent of whom are part of the active labor force, and a high literacy rate of 98 percent, the Province of Bohol has a solid foundation to build upon, she said.
The provincial government is also pushing for the creation of municipal ICT councils and will launch its Provincial ICT Roadmap in November to identify gaps and opportunities.ย
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via Provincial Information and Media Office (PIMO)