Aquino pledges government support to help BPO industry grow further
President Benigno S. Aquino III told the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry on Tuesday that the government would extend total and immediate support to help propagate the industry as it reaches greater heights of bringing prestige to the country as well as in generating more job opportunities for Filipinos.
In short remarks at the 5th International Contact Center Conference and Expo (ICCCE) 2011 held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City Tuesday afternoon, the President said he would direct government education agencies to focus more attention on giving Filipinos the basics of working in the BPO industry.
“So you can expect from government, in cooperation with CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and DepEd (Department of Education) and the basic sector that we are gearing all our education towards training the people for the jobs available when they do graduate instead of chasing after jobs that are currently and will no longer be existent by the time they graduate,” the President said.
He said that through this pledge of support, graduates will have a better chance of landing a job of their choice.
“…we are concentrating on a lot of different facets that we think will really grant our people maximum opportunities because at the end of the day, I did promise job generation as the first priority of this Administration,” the President said.
The ICCCE is a yearly convention of BPO industry leaders comprising the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP).
The CCAP recently released a report touting the dominance of the Philippine contact center industry in the global outsourced voice services market with revenue growth outpacing the global benchmark by almost twice the rate and its global market share growing to 24 percent, or almost 50 percent higher than its share five years ago.
“ThePhilippine contact center industry has grown significantly in the last five years, from about US$2.6-billion in revenues in 2006 to about US$6.2-billion in 2010,” the CCAP said in a statement.
“At the same time, the industry employed at least 344,000 FTEs (full-time equivalents) by the end of 2010 from less than 160,000 in 2006,” it added.
The CCAP added that the Philippine contact center industry will double its investment and job generation opportunity in five years.
“The industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 15 percent --breaching a milestone revenue level of US$14.7-billion and a FTE count of 816,000 by 2016,” the CCAP said.
President Aquino lauded this report and expressed hope the group would achieve this feat in three years.
“Tell us how we can ease the process much more to help you achieve the targets that I think all of us want to achieve better sooner than later,” the President said.(PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III told the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry on Tuesday that the government would extend total and immediate support to help propagate the industry as it reaches greater heights of bringing prestige to the country as well as in generating more job opportunities for Filipinos.
In short remarks at the 5th International Contact Center Conference and Expo (ICCCE) 2011 held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City Tuesday afternoon, the President said he would direct government education agencies to focus more attention on giving Filipinos the basics of working in the BPO industry.
“So you can expect from government, in cooperation with CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and DepEd (Department of Education) and the basic sector that we are gearing all our education towards training the people for the jobs available when they do graduate instead of chasing after jobs that are currently and will no longer be existent by the time they graduate,” the President said.
He said that through this pledge of support, graduates will have a better chance of landing a job of their choice.
“…we are concentrating on a lot of different facets that we think will really grant our people maximum opportunities because at the end of the day, I did promise job generation as the first priority of this Administration,” the President said.
The ICCCE is a yearly convention of BPO industry leaders comprising the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP).
The CCAP recently released a report touting the dominance of the Philippine contact center industry in the global outsourced voice services market with revenue growth outpacing the global benchmark by almost twice the rate and its global market share growing to 24 percent, or almost 50 percent higher than its share five years ago.
“ThePhilippine contact center industry has grown significantly in the last five years, from about US$2.6-billion in revenues in 2006 to about US$6.2-billion in 2010,” the CCAP said in a statement.
“At the same time, the industry employed at least 344,000 FTEs (full-time equivalents) by the end of 2010 from less than 160,000 in 2006,” it added.
The CCAP added that the Philippine contact center industry will double its investment and job generation opportunity in five years.
“The industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 15 percent --breaching a milestone revenue level of US$14.7-billion and a FTE count of 816,000 by 2016,” the CCAP said.
President Aquino lauded this report and expressed hope the group would achieve this feat in three years.
“Tell us how we can ease the process much more to help you achieve the targets that I think all of us want to achieve better sooner than later,” the President said.(PCOO)
Aquino welcomes Miami Heat coach to Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the head coach of the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra who called on him in Malacañang on Wednesday.
Joining the President in welcoming Spoelstra and other members of the Miami Heat staff were Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Presidential cousin Rafael Lopa, and Philippine Airlines Executive Vice President Viviene Tan.
In an interview, Spoelstra said it was an honor to personally meet the President whom he briefed on the activities of the NBA FIT program, the league’s global comprehensive health and wellness program that encourages physical activity and healthy living for children and families through programs and events.
“We are here with the NBA FIT program and I’m here with the Miami Heat staff and we’re very involved in trying to promote our program here of fitness and teaching young Filipino kids about the importance of being physically fit, learning proper nutrition and making healthy choices,” Spoelstra said.
“This is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the President,” he added.
To show his appreciation, Spoelstra gave the President a white NBA FIT t-shirt which he signed: “To President Aquino, you inspire all of us to make a difference.”
Now on its third year, the NBA FIT program, which began its Philippine run last July 25, is now on its second week.
The expanded physical program includes the following elements: NBA FIT clinics, development camps, celebrity NBA FIT challenge and fun run.
“We’re (now) spending a lot of time outside schools and unto the (basketball) courts trying to promote a healthy lifestyle, a lot of it through playing the game of basketball but not exclusively to basketball,” Spoelstra said.
Born to Fe Celino, a Filipina from San Pablo, Laguna, the 35-year-old Spoelstra is an ex-collegiate basketball player at the University of Portland, Oregon and a former professional basketball player/coach for Tus Herten, a team in the professional sports league of Germany.(PCOO)
Aquino receives petition to stop trafficking of children and young people
President Benigno S. Aquino III received a non-profit organization’s petition for the government to do something concrete to finally end the trafficking of children and young people in ceremonies in Malacañang on Wednesday.
The End Child Prostitution, Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) and partner The Body Shop presented the President with the one-page petition that calls for positive change and action in the fight against child trafficking.
Backed by 473,489 signatures, the petition also calls to: 1) Develop community-based prevention programs for the most vulnerable children; 2) Raise awareness of trafficking in schools; 3) Improve law enforcement systems in order to combat crimes against children; and, 4) Build capacity service providers and the allocation of further resources for those organizations that provide recovery and reintegration services to child victims of trafficking for sexual purposes.
In his speech keynoting the event, the President told the group that his government joins EPCAT’s advocacy to end child trafficking.
“This is why I am here today to take a stand with all of you who have vowed for zero tolerance against sex trafficking —and, ultimately, against human trafficking. I was presented with more than 400,000 signatures from a wide range of sectors —from law enforcement to politics, from the academe to our senior citizens —all expressing their desire to have a Philippines and a world without human trafficking. I thank all of you for this commitment,” the President said.
“And I likewise thank The Body Shop for their continued and earnest acts of corporate social responsibility, as well as the End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes International for their unending crusade against the exploitation of children, he said.”
“Allow me to tell you today that the Philippines stands behind your advocacies. We are, and we will continue to fully implement the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act to prevent human trafficking, and to provide protection and services to those already victimized,” the President added.
He pointed out that through his government’s faithful implementation of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the Special Protection Law against Child Abuse, “we have already convicted 32 human traffickers in the span of a year, and we have filed cases against many more after a number of raids and rescue operations.”
He noted that government efforts have not gone unnoticed as the United States “have removed us from the Tier 2 Watch list in the 2011 Trafficking-in-Persons report.”
The President stressed however, that despite the great strides the government has taken to address child trafficking, more still needs to be done.
He vowed to relentlessly pursue the complete eradication of child trafficking as well as those who participate in its business.
“As long as our people can still be taken against their will to do work that they did not willfully choose, we will continue our fight against human trafficking,” the President said.
“I assure all of you that we will not cease in our efforts—and that the Philippines will put in extra hours to make certain that we comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, so that we may rise to another tier,” the President emphasized.
“But make no mistake about it: We are doing this not merely because we want to reap the benefits of an international designation. We are doing this because human trafficking drowns the hopes of people all over the world.”
“Child sex trafficking endangers the future of our children—it diminishes their capacity to dream. We are doing this because it is the right thing to do; we are doing this so that we can better ensure the safety and well-being of our children and youth,” the President said.
“And today, our confidence in what we are doing has grown even more with the knowledge that more than 400,000 people also strongly believe that this is the right thing to do,” he concluded.(PCOO)
Aquino gov’t to revitalize PTV
In line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s directive to revitalize the People’s Television Network (PTV), media officials have begun a series of meetings and discussions to map out a plan of action to improve the quality of public service and entertainment programs of the government’s broadcasting service.
PTV General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Renato Caluag said that the President had met with members of government media last August 1 to discuss the call he made to Congress in his State of the Nation Address to revitalize the government network.
Caluag said the President’s instructions to the group which included Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Presidential Communications and Operations Office officials led by Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr., Undersecretary George Syliangco, Assistant Secretary Lesley Cordero, and himself, was to develop concrete proposals to ensure “that we deliver effective programming that centers on disseminating government information and services” to the public.”
The President also instructed the group to prepare proposed amendments to the PTV law for submission to the Legislative and Executive Development Council (LEDAC).
The President had mentioned in his second SONA about his plans to develop further government offices that he said had been “lagging behind the times.”
These include the aforementioned PTV4, Bureau of Corrections, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the National Electrification Administration.
The revitalization of these offices, the President said, would allow them to “better fulfill their mandate of public service.(PCOO)
Aquino to convene gov’t agencies concerned to address flood problem
President Benigno S. Aquino III announced on Wednesday that he will convene next week officials of concerned government agencies to discuss strategies to address the perennial flooding problem in the country.
“By next week, we will have a briefing on the flood control program,” the President said during an ambush interview after the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children Petition Handover event on Wednesday at the Heroes Hall in Malacanang.
Representatives of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will attend the meeting to update Aquino regarding their projects aimed at addressing the flooding.
The President underscored the need to thoroughly review the present waterways system in the National Capital Region (NCR) to determine areas that would be affected when water overflows during heavy rains.
“We are studying it (waterways system). Wala naman talaga tayong drainage na konetakdo lahat sa NCR. For instance, iyong tradition po dito gagawan ng drainage ilalagay mo ang dulo nito sa pinakamalapit na body of water,” Aquino said.
“Nag-uumpisa na po ‘yung Manila Water at saka Maynilad at ina-address itong isyung ito,” he said.
He noted that it would take 30 years for the government to build-up a new waterways system which will interconnect all waterways and drainage in the NCR.
“So pag inaayos po natin iyan ang kakailanganin ay huhukayin ang buong Metro Manila, ganun kalaki po ang problema niyan. Ang kaya natin gawin ngayon eh mapabilis ang pagbaba at paghupa ng baha,” he stressed.
"Naglaunched ang MMDA ng Flood Control Information Center (MMDA-FCIC), iyong monitoring center nila ng critical areas of flooding so we can have a better real time data as to where there are danger portions,” the President added.
The MMDA inaugurated on Wednesday its newly-created Flood Control Information Center (MMDA - FCIC), a nerve center for the agency's flood control and disaster-related operations. The FCIC will comprehensively monitor Metro Manila flood-prone areas and provide crucial information needed to make policy decisions in crisis situations.
The center is equipped with sixteen LCD monitors connected to over 70 closed-circuit televisions installed on key Metro Manila intersections, flood-prone areas and pumping stations.
“Meron din on-going reviews by the DPWH, MMDA, and even DENR. Iyong National greening program is also of interest because of its potential to alleviate the flooding situation. Uulitin ko lang ho iyong PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) promised na pag meron disturbance every hour makikita natin iyong track, hindi tayo magugulat sa tingin ko nagawa na po nila iyan ,” the President continued.(PCOO)
Aquino orders Purisima to review investigations being conducted by current DBP board
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday directed Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to review the process by which the current board of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is conducting investigation on previous transactions made by the government-owned banking institution.
The President’s instructions came in light of the death of a DBP lawyer, identified in the reports as Benjamin Pinpin, who reportedly took his own life Tuesday allegedly because of the manner by which the board is carrying out the said investigation.
“I understand that the guy who committed suicide was one of the lead witnesses who actually unearthed this. He was kind of vital. I am curious like everybody else as to why he had taken his life,” the President said in an ambush interview with reporters at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall.
The President said he initially received a report from Secretary Purisima with respect to allegations of behest loans or questionable practices by the previous DBP board.
He said his administration only wants to correct whatever impairment was brought to the institution due to the questionable loans that previous DBP officials have allegedly entered into.
“Ang hinahabol po natin dito hindi mang-usig ng kung sinoman lalo na sa rank and file, ano. Pero para malaman nga ano ba ang nangyari d’yan, ano bang damage ang nangyari sa inyong institusyon. Sa dulo po nito para mailagay kayo sa mas mabuting kondisyon,” the President said when asked to give his message to DBP’s rank and file employees who were reportedly demoralized after the incident.
The President also appealed to all DBP employees who may have information regarding allegations to cooperate with the current board for the improvement of the institution. He also clarified that the bank was not exactly in trouble despite the incident.
“Klaro ko lang, hindi ko sinasabing delikado ang DBP, that’s not the case—pero may impairment rin kung mali nga ‘yung mga loans. ‘Yung behest loans ang binabanggit pong madalas sa akin. Pag nagka-problema po ‘yun sino ang unang maaapektuhan? Natural po ‘yung rank and file, ‘yung empleyadong mawawalan ng trabaho. So baka pwedeng kung tama po ang ginagawa ng board ngayon, tama ‘yung direksyon, tulungan naman po nila,” he said.
The President also expressed his sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim and promised to look into the reasons behind his death.
Reports quoting police officials said Pinpin was found dead in a budget hotel room in Las Piñas City on Tuesday. His death was initially ruled as suicide as investigators said he was found in the room’s bathroom hanging by a nylon cord.(PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday directed Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to review the process by which the current board of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is conducting investigation on previous transactions made by the government-owned banking institution.
The President’s instructions came in light of the death of a DBP lawyer, identified in the reports as Benjamin Pinpin, who reportedly took his own life Tuesday allegedly because of the manner by which the board is carrying out the said investigation.
“I understand that the guy who committed suicide was one of the lead witnesses who actually unearthed this. He was kind of vital. I am curious like everybody else as to why he had taken his life,” the President said in an ambush interview with reporters at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall.
The President said he initially received a report from Secretary Purisima with respect to allegations of behest loans or questionable practices by the previous DBP board.
He said his administration only wants to correct whatever impairment was brought to the institution due to the questionable loans that previous DBP officials have allegedly entered into.
“Ang hinahabol po natin dito hindi mang-usig ng kung sinoman lalo na sa rank and file, ano. Pero para malaman nga ano ba ang nangyari d’yan, ano bang damage ang nangyari sa inyong institusyon. Sa dulo po nito para mailagay kayo sa mas mabuting kondisyon,” the President said when asked to give his message to DBP’s rank and file employees who were reportedly demoralized after the incident.
The President also appealed to all DBP employees who may have information regarding allegations to cooperate with the current board for the improvement of the institution. He also clarified that the bank was not exactly in trouble despite the incident.
“Klaro ko lang, hindi ko sinasabing delikado ang DBP, that’s not the case—pero may impairment rin kung mali nga ‘yung mga loans. ‘Yung behest loans ang binabanggit pong madalas sa akin. Pag nagka-problema po ‘yun sino ang unang maaapektuhan? Natural po ‘yung rank and file, ‘yung empleyadong mawawalan ng trabaho. So baka pwedeng kung tama po ang ginagawa ng board ngayon, tama ‘yung direksyon, tulungan naman po nila,” he said.
The President also expressed his sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim and promised to look into the reasons behind his death.
Reports quoting police officials said Pinpin was found dead in a budget hotel room in Las Piñas City on Tuesday. His death was initially ruled as suicide as investigators said he was found in the room’s bathroom hanging by a nylon cord.(PCOO)
Aquino bares anomalous Ro-Ro projects
TRINIDAD, Bohol: President Benigno S. Aquino disclosed anomalous transactions approved during the past administration that were disadvantageous to the government.
In his speech during the inauguration of a newly-built town hall in Trinidad, Bohol, President Aquino said 66 contracts for the construction of roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) ports were not necessary but was approved by the previous administration.
The President said Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas studied the ro-ro projects approved during the past administration and found out that the actual need are six ports and not 72.
The ports were supposed to be built in high risk areas, particularly in typhoon paths and locations with strong waves. The President said these conditions void the warranty of the contracts if the projects are built.
The President stressed that the projects must be canceled noting, however, that the government may face charges in court abroad as a result.
The government will incur another cost to rebuild the ports once they are damaged, he said. More than P15 billion could have been wasted if the projects weren’t discovered.
The money could have been used to build the Panglao airport that require around P8.4 billion, he said adding that the construction of a new airport could boost tourism and the local Bohol economy as a whole.
The past administration entered into contracts that contain provisions to do possible arbitrations overseas if there are legal problems, the President said.
“Nasa tama po tayo at nakakasiguro ako na sa pagtutulungan po natin ay maisaayos iyan,” he said.
The construction of the ro-ro ports to connect the country’s islands was one of the Arroyo administration’s flagship projects.(PCOO)
TRINIDAD, Bohol: President Benigno S. Aquino disclosed anomalous transactions approved during the past administration that were disadvantageous to the government.
In his speech during the inauguration of a newly-built town hall in Trinidad, Bohol, President Aquino said 66 contracts for the construction of roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) ports were not necessary but was approved by the previous administration.
The President said Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas studied the ro-ro projects approved during the past administration and found out that the actual need are six ports and not 72.
The ports were supposed to be built in high risk areas, particularly in typhoon paths and locations with strong waves. The President said these conditions void the warranty of the contracts if the projects are built.
The President stressed that the projects must be canceled noting, however, that the government may face charges in court abroad as a result.
The government will incur another cost to rebuild the ports once they are damaged, he said. More than P15 billion could have been wasted if the projects weren’t discovered.
The money could have been used to build the Panglao airport that require around P8.4 billion, he said adding that the construction of a new airport could boost tourism and the local Bohol economy as a whole.
The past administration entered into contracts that contain provisions to do possible arbitrations overseas if there are legal problems, the President said.
“Nasa tama po tayo at nakakasiguro ako na sa pagtutulungan po natin ay maisaayos iyan,” he said.
The construction of the ro-ro ports to connect the country’s islands was one of the Arroyo administration’s flagship projects.(PCOO)
