IBPAP, LPC boost ties with real estate players

Amid ongoing debates around the long-term or permanent implementation of hybrid work models, the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) and real estate industries have begun aligning their visions for the future through a roundtable discussion that was co-organized by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC).

The event, which was attended by representatives from Aboitiz InfraCapital, Ayala Land, DM Wenceslao & Associates, Double Dragon Properties, Eco Group, Federal Land, Filinvest Land, Frabelle Group, Megaworld, Panorama Development, Robinsons Land, SM Prime Holdings, Telstra Converge, Vista Land, W Group, and the Yuchengco Group of Companies, provided a platform for stakeholders to speak about the impact of hybrid work models on the Philippine IT-BPM sector’s sustained growth, as well as its ability to drive real estate take-up, in the coming years. Also present were Accenture Operations Client Experience Lead for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Benedict Hernandez, Legato Health Technologies Country Head Noya Terrado, and Concentrix Vice President for Finance Aldrin Dulig.

For decades now, the industry has been one of the largest occupiers of space around the country. “There is no denying the resilience of Philippine IT-BPM, its driving power on the demand for office real estate across the country, and its role as an indispensable economic pillar. Through every challenge, the sector demonstrated uninterrupted growth and made extensive contributions in terms of jobs and revenues, while creating a multiplier effect across other industries,” said Jack Madrid, IBPAP President and CEO. “We will sustain this growth in the years ahead while leading the charge on hybrid work models, as global demands from clients and service providers dictate.”

In 2021, the Philippine IT-BPM sector added 120K full-time employees (FTEs) and reached a total headcount of 1.44 million Filipinos, recorded USD 29.5 billion in revenues, and contributed 7.5% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This achievement would not have been possible if not for strong partners such as LPC who have been ceaseless in their support of the industry and IBPAP through initiatives like Next Wave CitiesTM and Digital Cities 2025.

David Leechiu, LPC Founder and CEO, remains committed to helping the IT-BPM sector advance further in the Philippines as a Roadmap 2028 Champion. “LPC has been an integral part of Roadmap 2022, which saw IT-BPM move up the value chain, expand to more countryside locations, and thrive despite a global pandemic,” he shared. “We want to continue on this journey with the industry and IBPAP in the next six years, and we look forward to the milestones we will achieve together.”

According to IBPAP and LPC, the roundtable discussion with the country’s leading developers and biggest landlords needed to happen ahead of Roadmap 2028 because the future of the IT-BPM and real estate sectors will continue to be intertwined—even with the changing workways.

“Our synergy with the industry has made for a more agile and adaptable ecosystem with the national and local governments. By supporting the initiatives under the new roadmap, we will be able to take our collaboration to another level and reinforce the role of IT-BPM and real estate as pillars of the economy,” added Lylah Ledonio, LPC Executive Director for Commercial Leasing.

About the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Inc. (IBPAP) is the primary trade body and advocacy group of the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry in the country. IBPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the sector.

With over 300 members and six partner associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), Global In-House Center Council (GICC) Philippines, Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), and the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA)—IBPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining the growth of the IT-BPM industry by working with stakeholders in the government and academe to ensure an enduring supply of high-quality labor, support service innovation, and provide country visibility.

IBPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines through relevant research, introductions to key officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process. Initiatives for human resources, business development, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities are also made available to members as a means of continued support.