THE information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry expects revenue to grow faster than employment through 2028, as companies use artificial intelligence (AI) and move toward higher-value services.
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) forecasts industry revenue to rise by 5 percent to $42.3 billion this year, while employment is projected to climb by 2.6 percent to 1.94 million workers.That would raise revenue per full-time employee — a measure of how much income the industry generates for each worker — to about $21,800.Ibpap President Jack Madrid said the industry could no longer be measured mainly by the number of jobs it creates. Its competitiveness, he pointed out, would increasingly depend on workers’ skills and their ability to perform more complex tasks.In 2027, revenue is seen to increase by 6.1 percent to $45 billion, while employment is expected to grow by 2.6 percent to 1.99 million. Revenue per employee would rise to about $22,600.By 2028, Ibpap aims to increase annual revenue to $50.5 billion and employment to 2.14 million, bringing revenue per worker to about $23,600.“We have to build what the world needs and make sure the world knows the Philippines can deliver it,” Madrid said at the International IT-BPM Summit 2026 in Manila.He noted that opportunities remained strong, but the basis of competition had shifted because of technological advances, changing customer priorities and new ways of delivering services.To remain competitive, the industry must strengthen its talent pool, infrastructure, policies and partnerships, Madrid said.Ibpap aims to develop more than 2 million AI-enabled Filipino digital workers by 2028. These employees must be able to use AI with sound judgment and quality control, apply deeper technical and industry expertise, and continually adapt to changing requirements.The group also wants the Philippines to become a regional base for companies serving Southeast Asia. This includes attracting Asean enterprises to establish regional operations in the country and encouraging Philippine providers to expand across the region.Ibpap said it was working with schools, training institutions and government agencies to develop skills, establish industry standards and help implement the national AI strategy. It is also seeking investments and expanding into priority markets.
