IBM reaffirms commitment to RP

MANILA, Philippines - Technology giant IBM reaffirmed yesterday its commitment and investment towards the growth of the Philippines during talks with President Arroyo.

IBM has also committed P40 million ($860,000) worth of technology, services and expertise as part of its contribution to the Philippines ’ disaster rehabilitation and preparedness efforts.

IBM ASEAN general manager Cordelia Chung; vice president for governmental programs, growth market unit, Stephen Braim; human resource delivery executive, IBM Asia Pacific, Renato Jiao; and Philippines country general manager James Velasquez, met with the President and spoke of plans to extend existing investment which currently includes several global delivery centers.

IBM reiterated its dedication to develop local education and the advancement of business and technology skills as a responsible corporate citizen by helping the Philippines advance its national innovation agenda.

As a testament of this continuous commitment, IBM will officially launch the first IBM Innovation Center (IIC) in the Philippines in December 2009 in conjunction with the second anniversary of Filipinnovation — innovation by the Filipino for the Philippines and the global community. This investment will help advance the country’s progress in meeting its National Innovation Strategy.

During the meeting, the proposed ‘Earn as You Learn’ project with the Board of Investment (BOI) was discussed and positively evaluated. The project is aimed at building a ‘Smarter Philippines’ by advancing technology skills and competitiveness in a highly globalized business environment. The project combines integrated teaching with income-generating work experience for students, enabling them to graduate with a higher appreciation of the work culture of an IT professional.

Mrs. Arroyo was also briefed on the various efforts IBM is prepared to do to help alleviate the damages caused by the recent typhoons and sought the President’s advice on how to effectively utilize IBM’s business and technology expertise.

IBM has a 72-year history in the country as an active member of the local community. Since opening its first office in 1937, IBM has expanded its business and presence many times over. In the last five years, the company has grown its workforce here from about 300 to over 7,000 today providing services to both the domestic and export markets.