CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco has filed a resolution urging the government to engage with the U.S. over the proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act. His resolution, House Resolution No. 386, calls on the DTI and the DFA to “immediately initiate dialogue” with the U.S. counterparts to secure exemptions for U.S. firms operating in the country’s outsourcing sector.
The Story Behind HR No. 386
Rep. Frasco has been disappointed by the DTI’s inaction in assisting the BPO sector, citing that the “wait-and-see approach is unacceptable” and that the livelihood of 1.9 million Filipinos is at stake.
Cebu, in particular, is “a cornerstone of the country’s success.” He emphasized that Cebuanos have significantly benefited from “the jobs, skills development, and opportunities created by the BPO sector.”
If the DTI acts too late in addressing the bill’s effects, U.S.-based companies might have to relocate operations back to the U.S., leaving Cebuanos and every Filipino BPO worker at risk of losing their jobs. He said that only swift, high-level diplomatic and trade talks can help prevent these from happening.
The DTI must act with urgency and clarity. The Philippines has long been a trusted and strategic partner of U.S. companies. It is the responsibility of our government to defend that partnership, protect our workers, and safeguard an industry that sustains the livelihood of countless Filipino families.
To date, 70% of the BPO sector’s client base comes from the U.S.
