The Philippine government ordered all Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies to settle their Work from Home arrangements until March 29, 2020, as the country implemented an enhanced community quarantine in the entire Luzon, including Metro Manila. This move was made to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to ensure the continuity of business operations. The government earlier set the deadline on March 20, but extended it by a week to give companies more time to adjust to the new arrangements.
background on the bpo industry
The BPO industry is a significant sector in the Philippines, employing around 1.1 million Filipinos and generating substantial revenue for the country. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the industry is the second major source of dollars for the Philippines, next to remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFW). The industry provides a range of services, including front-office customer service, back-office business functions, payroll, human resources, and accounting. As noted by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the BPO industry has been a key driver of the country’s economic growth, with revenues expected to reach $20 billion by 2022.
government response to the pandemic
The Philippine government has taken various measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, including the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. The quarantine, which was imposed on March 16, 2020, restricts the movement of people and requires them to stay at home, except for essential activities such as buying food and medicine. The government has also instructed BPO companies and other export-oriented establishments to set up temporary lodging, shuttle arrangements, and other alternative work policies for their employees. As stated in a memorandum released by the government on March 18, 2020, “all BPO workers would be allowed to travel to bring home their equipment so they could work from their residences.” The memorandum also requires personnel of BPOs and export-oriented establishments to present proof of employment, address of employer, and residence to travel.
impact on bpo employees
The implementation of the enhanced community quarantine has had a significant impact on BPO employees, many of whom were unable to report for work due to the suspension of public transportation and checkpoints. According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, thousands of BPO employees in the affected areas were stranded at home, unable to work. The extension of the deadline for BPO companies to settle their Work from Home arrangements is expected to provide relief to these employees, who can now work from home and continue to earn a living. As noted by IBPAP president Rey Untal, “the extension of the deadline will give BPO companies more time to adjust to the new arrangements and ensure the continuity of their operations.”
efforts to combat the pandemic
The Philippine government has declared a state of calamity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted all local government units to use their Quick Response Funds to take necessary measures and purchase necessities to combat the coronavirus. The government has also taken steps to assist frontline workers with medical supplies and equipment. As of March 22, 2020, the Philippines had a total of 380 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 25 deaths. The government has urged the public to cooperate with the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine and to follow health protocols to prevent the spread of the disease. According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, “the government is doing everything it can to contain the spread of the virus and to protect the public, but we need the cooperation of everyone to succeed in this effort.”
The extension of the deadline for BPO companies to settle their Work from Home arrangements is a significant move by the Philippine government to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry. By allowing BPO employees to work from home, the government can help reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and ensure the continuity of business operations. The move is also expected to provide relief to BPO employees who have been affected by the pandemic, and to help the country’s economy recover from the impact of the crisis. As the situation continues to evolve, the government will likely take further measures to combat the pandemic and to support the BPO industry, which is a critical sector of the country’s economy.
