ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas supports the appeal of business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to extend their work-from-home (WFH) arrangement.
The IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) requested to extend remote-work arrangements beyond March 31, 2022 but this was denied by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB).
According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), BPO workers have to return to their offices as this will boost economic recovery.
Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III, for his part, said IT-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms may continue implementing their WFH setups but they must give up the tax incentives they currently enjoy.
While he understands NEDA and DOF, Treñas said they should look at the experience of India, which has a thriving BPO sector observing the work-from-home setup due to the pandemic.
“In Iloilo City, ang BPO sector ta nag-increase pa sang pandemic nga ara sila naga-work-from-home. I think NEDA and DOF should continue the dialogue with the BPO sector,” said Treñas.
The city mayor sees the BPO sector growing further even if the work-from-home scheme is maintained.
There are 73 BPO firms currently doing business in Iloilo City.
“Para sa akon let’s listen to the BPO sector,” said Treñas./PN
