CICT vows full support for IT and BPO sectors

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Information, Communication and Technology (CICT) vowed to provide full support to Cebu’s IT and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sectors despite the agency’s budget limitations.

CICT secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy told The Freeman in an interview yesterday said that Cebu should specify its primary need for the BPO sector that needs utmost attention.

Following the proclamation of Tholon’s declaring Cebu as the number 8th “emerged destination” for BPO investment in the world besting other developed sites such as Singapore, and some parts of India, the more that Cebu needs the support it could get to sustain its position, Uy said.

He mentioned the recent announcement of President Benigno Aquino III to give P62 million budget for CICT, and that Cebu will benefit from this funds, depending on the requirements of the industry and support organizations.

Earlier, President Aquino announced that the government will provide P62 million funds for CICT, on top of the P23 million annual budget of the agency for mobilization and operational expenses, in order to push more programs support the robust BPO sector.

Uy, who is also one of the country’s well-known cyber-lawyers said that the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (Cedfit) may be able to access these funds through loan or through training programs.

Although the government still has to release the said P62 million budget, Uy said his plan is to use the money to help propel the BPO industry in the country, specifically in implementing programs that will improve the human resource capability in the Philippines.

Initially, CICT is partnering with several sectors, and agencies in the government to in terms of providing training and workshops. It’s partnership with Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will be strengthening, as well as its close coordination with the local government units (LGUs).

Uy admitted that the agency is having difficulty in mobilizing and implementing its planned programs, due to lack of financial resources, as of this time.

He hopes that the President will be able to hasten the release of the committed P62 million for CICT so they will be able to implement effective programs especially in sustaining the human resource pool.

Uy said in the past years, the Philippine government was focusing on promoting the Philippines as BPO destination in other countries in the world, “now we are starting to feel the results.”

This time, CICT will focus its programs in building talents for the industry, to coordination with the industry players, and critical agencies like DepEd, Ched, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

In Cebu, he said the IT and BPO industry can be easily helped because it has the most organized industry, especially with the existence of Cedfit, and strong support from the private sector organizations.

In 2009, the BPO/IT industry in the Philippines generated total revenue of US$7.3 billion. (FREEMAN)