BPAP appoints new executive directors

New BPAP executives to champion IT-BPO industry growth

(Manila, Philippines, October 10, 2012)—The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), the umbrella association for the IT-BPO and GIC (Global In-House Center) industry in the Philippines, recently announced the appointment of Ronald Arambulo, Genny Marcial, and Nathan Andaya as executive directors.

They joined the current executive team led by president and CEO Benedict Hernandez; senior executive director Gillian Virata, who handles marketing and research; executive director for Talent Development Penny Bongato; and executive director for Industry Affairs Raymond Lacdao.

Arambulo was appointed executive director for Finance and Project Management Office (PMO). Marcial and Andaya will handle the External Affairs and Human Resources departments, respectively.

Arambulo, who started his BPO career as a telemarketer when he was in college, held executive positions in a number of IT-BPO firms before joining BPAP. “As head of finance, my key role is to ensure that BPAP’s finances are prudently managed while building a lean finance function that can support the needs of a fast-growing, non-profit organization in terms of compliance, risk management, and decision support,” Arambulo said.

His duties as head of the PMO, meanwhile, entail planning, organizing, mobilizing, and implementing the various development projects BPAP has initiated with its partner associations, the government, academe, and multilateral agencies.

Arambulo noted that most of BPAP’s projects are focused on talent development. “An IT-BPO career encompasses being able to master service management at a global standard for foreign clients. Career growth opportunities in the IT-BPO industry are huge,” he said.

Marcial is an accomplished IT-BPO management practitioner. “I shifted careers because I wanted to be part of the IT-BPO industry’s dynamic growth and explore what my role will be in its evolution,” said Marcial, who joined the outsourcing industry two years ago as part of Sutherland Global Services. BPAP’s External Affairs department, through the Legislative and the Disaster Management committees, provides members with opportunities for active engagement in initiatives to boost the industry.

“A career in the IT-BPO industry is ideal for Filipinos because it fulfills the expectations of talents in both ends of the spectrum: it is a high-paying industry, career growth is exponential, a sizable budget is allocated for training and career development programs, and you work for international companies without leaving your family behind,” said Marcial.

Andaya, who has been involved with the IT-BPO industry since 2005, said his role is twofold: to create the human resources agenda for both BPAP and its partner associations. “My role focuses on legislation pertaining to the IT-BPO industry, and interfacing with the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure compliance to labor laws,” said Andaya.

Among Andaya’s priorities is for BPAP’s Human Resources department to consolidate programs that foster the retention, engagement, and wellness of employees. “Filipinos should consider IT-BPO careers because they are global and compensate accordingly. They provide attractive opportunities for personal development and contribute in a fundamental way to the economic development of our country. Working in IT-BPO the individual the chance to become an integral part in nation-building,” Andaya said.

In 2010, the Philippines became the number one global provider of voice services. It is also a popular provider of non-voice, complex services. As an attractive destination for outsourcing services, the range of services provided to the world from the Philippines is continually expanding.

“Game development and digital animation definitely have huge potentials because these sectors complement our innately creative in nature,” said Marcial. Arambulo would like to see the finance and accounting sectors further emerge as they are closest to his heart. Andaya, for his part, said, “I would like the back-end office—HR, finance, and health—sector to be developed more. Like the voice sector, I strongly believe that the country can become the top provider in these fields as well.”

In 2011, the IT-BPO industry generated US$11 billion in revenues and employed approximately 640,000 people. According to an industry roadmap, the industry is projected to employ 1.3 million Filipinos to become a $25-billion industry by 2016.

About the Business Processing Association of the Philippines
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the umbrella association for the IT-BPO and GIC (Global In-House Center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and support-industry members, including five associations, BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

BPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines. Relevant research, introductions to key government and industry officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process ensure a seamless development process. Ongoing support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, and ongoing knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.