In a strategic move to bolster the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas convened a meeting with approximately 40 BPO representatives on January 7, 2025. The gathering aimed to tackle key issues such as workforce upskilling, power supply interruptions, and connectivity improvements, which are critical for the sector’s growth and efficiency.
Velma Jane Lao, head of the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (LEDIP) Office, highlighted the urgent need to enhance the basic skills of BPO employees. She pointed out that while many workers can communicate in English, their comprehension levels need improvement to foster critical thinking and proficiency. To address this, Lao mentioned upcoming discussions with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, alongside plans to establish TESDA-accredited training centers for English language programs.
The BPO representatives also expressed concerns over frequent rotational brownouts and the necessity for robust fiber lines, particularly important for companies adopting work-from-home policies. Satrian Peñasales, LEDIP’s focal person for BPO, stated that the firms would monitor the frequency of power outages in specific areas to evaluate their impact on productivity. Lao assured that they would communicate these findings to More Electric and Power Corp. and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to seek solutions.
Additionally, the meeting touched upon the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the BPO industry. Lao relayed the consensus that AI currently poses no significant threat as it mainly handles basic tasks, and human creativity remains a vital asset. The city government is committed to supporting the BPO sector’s ongoing development and addressing these multifaceted challenges.