Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Thursday reiterated the need to guard the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector against any external and internal threats that could eventually lead to loss of jobs for thousands of Filipinos.
Aquino, who is running for re-election in the upcoming May 2019 midterm polls, warned that lack of government protection for the BPO sector could greatly affect its job-generating programs.
“Libu-libong Pilipino at kanilang pamilya ang babalik sa kahirapan kung hindi natin poprotektahan ang BPO sector laban sa mga banta na maaaring makaapekto rito (Thousands of Filipins and their families would go back to poverty if we fail to protect the BPO sector from external and internal threats that may directly affect it),” Aquino said in his speech during the inauguration of the Global Payments Inc. office in Mandaluyong City.
Recently, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) gave Aquino recognition for his contribution to develop and strengthen IT and BPO sector through legislation.
The group also awarded Aquino, chair of the Senate committee on science and technology, with the IBPAP-PLDT Azure Flare For Industry Luminary award during the IBPAP Flare Awards 2018.
Aquino earlier conducted hearings to look into the threats affecting the BPO sector, most especially, artificial intelligence (AI).
Aquino had also committed to block provisions in the second package of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law that could affect the employment of thousands of Filipino workers in the BPO sector.
In his speech, the senator also renewed his commitment to help BPO companies and enable them to expand and provide more employment to Filipinos.
“We hope that we make it easier for you to do business here, we make it profitable for you to do business here so in turn you can provide jobs our countrymen need,” he said.
The lawmaker also underscored the need to support the BPO sector as any slowdown in the industry could lead to loss of jobs for thousands of Filipinos.
“More centers that open up, more centers to expand means more families will partake in the gains that our economy is currently experiencing. We’re here to make sure that this industry will continue to grow,” he said.