DICT calms BPO industry on heels of Duterte tirade

The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry will remain one of the key industries under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) said on Thursday.

"The DICT shall continue to fulfill its duties and maintain a strong collaboration with the BPOs," DICT Secretary Rodolfo A. Salalima said in a speech at the launch of Roadmap 2022 for the Philippine IT-BPM Industry.

The industry has been experiencing a period of nervousness on the heels of disturbing pronouncements by the President. 

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) has said foreign investors have put on hold their planned investments in the BPO sector due to the pronouncements of President.

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said earlier this month at least four investors have been anxious about Duterte's anti-US remarks.

"The Philippine government, through the DICT shall continue what has been started with regard to the BPO Industry. Forget the political noise. The President is sincere and he is a very human person," Salalima said, speaking before BPO executives.

"I will protect (the BPO sector) for as long as I am the Secretary of the DICT. Your President is very sincere as far as the BPO is concerned," he added.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia has said the industry will not be affected by Duterte's pronouncement that he was cutting the country's military and economic ties with the US. — VDS, GMA News