Ambassador-at-Large and the Phillipine’s Special Envoy for Trade Jose E.B. Antonio said the Philippines should focus on attracting investments from the world, particularly to grow the country’ IT-BPM (Information Technology- Business Process Management) industry, given its position as one of the country’s strongest growth sectors.
‘We should not center it towards America. We should center it to the whole world,’ Antonio said, stressing that ‘we should address our communications to the whole world who want to establish businesses.’
Antonio’s call for market diversification follows recent news on looming United States legislation that seeks to keep call centers in their territory. Antonio said his strategy is to promote the
Philippines to diverse international markets beyond the US. Regional investment opportunities.
‘The Philippines has proven itself as a global leader in BPO and IT-BPM. With a highly skilled, adaptable, and service-oriented workforce, this industry represents one of our greatest advantages and assures investors of sustainable growth,’ Antonio said.
Ambassador Antonio’s focus is on the promotion of the Philippines as a premier investment destination to the global business community.
Beyond call centers: A diverse and evolving industry
Antonio highlighted that the IT-BPM sector has evolved far beyond its early image of contact centers. ‘Today, our IT-BPM professionals are not just handling customer service, they are engineers, illustrators, animators, game developers, financial analysts, and healthcare information specialists. This diversity reflects the depth of Filipino talent and the industry’s ability to move up the value chain,’ he said.
Guided by IBPAP’s Accelerate PH Roadmap 2028, the industry is now expanding into higher-value services such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, software and web development, animation and game design, healthcare information management, as well as financial and HR solutions. This broad spectrum of expertise demonstrates the Philippines’ ability to move with global digital trends and reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner for enterprises worldwide.
A pillar of the Philippine economy
For over 20 years, the IT-BPM industry has been a cornerstone of the Philippine economy. According to the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the sector contributes around 7.5% of the country’s GDP and employs over 1.7 million professionals nationwide. Industry projections show the sector reaching $42 billion in revenues and employing
1.97 million Filipinos by 2026.
In 2023 alone, the industry generated more than $35 billion in revenues, making it one of the top sources of foreign exchange for the country.
According to the Oxford Business Group, the Philippines has been the global leader in voice and call center services since 2010, surpassing other countries in this sector with leading global firms choosing to establish large-scale operations in cities such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.
The rise of global capability centers
Antonio points to the rapid growth of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) as a testament to the Philippines’ evolving role in the global services landscape. Global Capability Centers are strategic offshore hubs established by multinational corporations to handle core business operations, advanced analytics, research and development, and specialized services beyond traditional outsourcing.
‘The establishment and expansion of GCCs in our country demonstrates that multinational corporations see the Philippines not just as an outsourcing destination, but as a strategic hub for their core business operations,’ Antonio emphasized.
The numbers support this optimism. The Philippines currently hosts approximately 170 GCCs or offshore hubs of multinational corporations, up from 150 less than two years ago. These centers are attracting continued interest from markets including the United States, Australia, and Europe, particularly from banks and the healthcare sector.
‘What’s particularly encouraging is how these GCCs are expanding beyond Metro Manila, recognizing the exceptional talent we have throughout the country,’ Antonio noted. This geographic expansion reflects the depth of skilled professionals available across the Philippines, with GCCs now exploring provincial locations for their operations.
With the global GCC market projected to reach $155 billion by 2027, Antonio sees immense potential for the Philippines. Major firms like JPMorgan Chase exemplify this growth trajectory, increasing their workforce by thousands annually with another 10% increase projected for 2026.
Preparing for the future: Upskilling and innovation
As technology rapidly evolves and artificial intelligence continues to transform the global business landscape, the Philippine IT-BPM industry is positioning itself for the future through strategic upskilling and talent development. IBPAP, together with universities, training centers, and government agencies, is shaping educational programs to meet the evolving needs of the industry, ensuring a steady pipeline of highly skilled, globally competitive professionals ready to drive innovation and deliver world-class services.
‘The strength of the Filipino workforce lies not only in its skills but also in its adaptability,’ Antonio noted. ‘Our IT-BPM professionals are continuously upgrading their capabilities, which gives global investors confidence in the resilience and sustainability of this sector.’
Antonio emphasized that sustaining this momentum requires continued collaboration among industry, academe, and government, along with the establishment of regional hubs and equipping the workforce with digital fluency.
A clear advantage for investors
The IT-BPM industry embodies the qualities that make the Philippines an attractive investment destination: resilience, innovation, a young and educated workforce, and a strong partnership between government and industry stakeholders.
‘Investing in the Philippines means tapping into a sector that continues to expand, diversify, and deliver value to the world. We can be both: a world-class outsourcing hub and a GCC hub powering enterprise transformation,’ Antonio stated. ‘The IT-BPM industry is a backbone of our economy and a foundation for future growth.’
Antonio concluded with a vision for the sector: ‘The future of IT-BPM is not just an industry agenda, it is a national priority. Together, we can keep the Philippines at the heart of global services and continue attracting the world’s leading companies to invest in our remarkable talent and capabilities.’