Philippine Information Technology Promotion

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today called for massive training in Information Technology (I.T.) and for enhancing the computer skills of Filipinos, as the IT industry creates the wealth of our country at present and will continue to provide jobs for Filipinos in the future.

"Promoting I.T. education and training would create a bigger pool of talented I.T. professionals who could match the growing human resource demand of the market," said Angara speaking before computer engineers, programmers and I.T. experts during the recently induction of I.T. Schools Network of Negros Occidental.

"As long as there are strong academic institutions that will provide good education and proper training, modern industries such as IT will absorb and attract talented Filipinos," Angara said.

"Technology is changing the world - the way we work, the content of our jobs, and our expectations in life," he said. "Today, one can access all the records and find things that are not accessible through any ordinary library. Through a mastery of a particular technology, whether legal transcription or call center service, the opportunities are unlimited."

Moreover, Angara said that the government must create a particular department exclusively focused on I.T. education, training and employment.

"By creating a separate department, we will be able to focus on the needs of the IT industry. Almost all knowledge in sciences and humanities can be accessed through the internet. Almost all jobs now require literacy in computer and information technology," Angara said.

"The future is in innovation. Since Filipinos are very creative, if you give them tools by which they can create and innovate, the international community will recognize our talent and skills which will attract investments and technology to our country," he continued.

Angara said that the country is targeting to capture about five percent of the global business process outsourcing (BPO) valued at $10 billion by year 2010.