TECHNOLOGY infrastructure and reliable power supply are two of the key issues the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) will raise before tech and power players in Cebu in the upcoming summit of the Cebu Business Month (CBM).
CBM will stage an ICT-BPM Summit on Aug. 26, 2021.
Joslyn Canon, ICT-BPM chairperson for CBM 2021, said the industry, which has been the country’s strongest economic pillar since the pandemic, is appealing to government to craft programs and update policies that will further strengthen the industry.
Specifically, Canon said the industry wants a better technology infrastructure and stable power supply since work-from-home arrangement in the IT-BPM industry is here to stay.
“We are crying to be recognized,” said Canon. “We are one of the industries that has kept the economy alive. However, in many of the occasions (last year) we reached a point of begging,” she said, referring to the difficulties the industry encountered, particularly on the border control policies implemented at the height of the lockdowns, among many other issues.
Internet, power issues
Canon said telecommunications companies should be pressured to improve their services in providing stable data and speed to homes. The industry also needs uninterrupted power supply to operate 24/7.
“They are the backbone of our operations. Special call out to our telco partners because this (pandemic) isn’t going away in the next two years so the work-from-home setup of the ICT-BPM sector is here to stay. And we cannot do business if we don’t have stable internet connection,” said Canon.
“Also for the power sector. A lot of maintenance has been done during the night because there are a lot of activities during the day. But we received complaints because a lot are already working during the night. I think we need to achieve that balance moving forward,” she added.
Like tourism, the IT-BPM wasn’t spared from the big blow dealt by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Canon said the industry saw some small IT-BPM firms, especially those handling tourism and travel accounts, stopped operations while others streamlined their business.
Collaboration
“Prior to the pandemic, we thought we could do things on our own... until the pandemic hit,” said Canon, emphasizing the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure sustainability and success of the industry.
“The way to go is really to collaborate, to help each other. We have to work with organizations and communities around us,” she added.
Mike Cubos, CBM 2021 chairman, reaffirmed Canon’s sentiments saying lawmakers should pass unified bills to support the growth of the ICT-BPM industry.
Cubos said there have already been several measures filed before the Senate and Congress that need to be tackled and unifying them would help create a stronger shield to an industry that is contributing about 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product. (KOC)