Interesting blog entry about reactions on a Singapore newspaper article on Filipino IT Professionals in Singapore and what the PSIA is doing to control the exodus of Filipino IT Pinoys from Philippines to Singapore.. which I think is counter productive.
http://reddotpinoys.blogspot.com/2007/08/filipino-it-engineers- flocking-to.html

I agree that the PSIA have to do something to control the so called 'exodus' or flocking of IT Pinoys to Singapore, but I do not agree with the control mechanism that they have decided to take on

- controlling the number of visas (Or more aptly employment pass) granted to IT Pinoys by the Singapore Government..

I think instead of controlling this, they should have initiatives that will pave the way for more MNCs like Microsoft, HP/Compaq, Citibank, UOB, DBS, to move their Asia Regional Headquarters to the Philippines , so as to generate more jobs while creating a more competitive job market and thus increasing the salary range offerred to IT Pinoys.

This is what I have been waiting for so long. Everyday, when I looked at how economically stable Singapore is, I cant help to dream that one day the Philippines will also be a host to these MNCs so I could finally go back home and work there.

For most of the MNCs I have mentioned above, we only have Sales Branches in the Philippines which cater mostly to Philippine local companies as well. Thus, the revenue generated is only enough to sustain local talents.

IF the MNC brances in the Phils are converted to Regional HQ and target other countries around it...we could generate enough revenued to sustain International Talents.. we can generate more jobs for local talents too (Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, NEwly Grads in IT etc..)..

those are just starters..when the Phils is home to these Regional HQ..it will carry tourism revenue as well...

oh how I wish!!

linsi wrote:

QUOTE:


hi lanie,

this is very interesting, brilliant thoughts! but what comes to my mind is
how could the Philippines attract more foreign investments tantamount to more revenues like most asian economic tigers do?

in yor POV, what must the philippine government prioritize in order to achieve it?


:unsure:

i think it must remove the weeds first -- deal with the peace and order situation, and perhaps even ask the media to cooperate...that the media stop sensationalizing the news..so as not so scare MNCs to invest in the Philippines.

I guess the PSIA can exert influence and play a pivotal role..in painting a good picture instead of lambasting Pinoy IT talents around the world.

I also am aware that PSIA is run by local IT companies in the Philippines so I do not think they will be in the forefront for these initiatives, as it will make the job market more competitive and thus they have to raise the salary offerings for IT Professionals.

But they have to see the wider impact, if we get the MNCs to host their regional HQ in the Philippines it will generate diverse business needs which I am pretty sure they can also fill up on.

Maybe what they should do instead is to rally the cause of continuing education for IT professionals. Provide a forum for International IT Professionals to share their knowledge to newly grads in the Philippines so that these local talents can be showcased around the world, without having to leave the Philippines. Therefore generating revenue, and increasing the salary range.

India now is fast becoming a favorite of these MNCs because of their large pool of IT Talents. Cheaper than Pinoy IT Talents.

We have to remain competitive and instead of lowering the salary, we have to upgrade the quality of IT Talents and demand for a more competitive price.

That is how they can prevent IT Pinoys from moving out of the Philippines.

Just to share with you my personal experience: In the Philippines, I have to work for the company for 2 years before I was sent to an overseas IT Training/Seminar. And they consider training as a reward for a job well done instead of an investement or preparation for a new project.

In Singapore, my first employers sent me for Training 2x within the same year. For the second employer, in my 2nd week, I was sent for training in Sydney, then in succeeding years, I attended training almost 2x a year. Aside from that my work gave me enough exposure around Asia (I was sent to work in Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong and TOkyo all within the span of 3 months). The variety of training, exposure and experience (not to mention salary) is something that is not available in the Philippines.<br><br>Post edited by: Lanie, at: 2007/09/04 17:22

there will be challenges though, in making Philippines a regional hub for Asia

1. language barrier (Singapore has got the edge here because the country play hosts to several races (Chinese, Malay/Indonesia, Indian) - so it is easy to find language skillsets to serve China (mainland) &amp; Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and even India (Tamil)
- We certainly do not have this skill set
2. But we still can target English speaking countries like Australia and New Zealand and perhaps even Singapore as this is an English speaking nation as well.


Despite the language barriers, if we can win the ANZ market, we already have about 50% lion share of Asia Market. In my company alone, ANZ generates enough revenue enough to support the Regional Headquarters in Singapore. So even of South East and India does not generate enough revenue to break even, we can still stay afloat.

Imagine if Philippines can attract the ANZ Market? IT would be enough for us to sustain a Regional HQ too and maybe train our local talents in other languages.

wow...such a grand dream..

Lanie wrote:





i think it must remove the weeds first -- deal with the peace and order situation, and perhaps even ask the media to cooperate...that the media stop sensationalizing the news..so as not so scare MNCs to invest in the Philippines.

I guess the PSIA can exert influence and play a pivotal role..in painting a good picture instead of lambasting Pinoy IT talents around the world.[/quote]




for the sake of discussions, what could be the first important need of the filipino people, the basic needs first then peace and order? or the other way around?.. so that it can move forward to the next level of progress specially recognizing Pinoy IT talents as one at par with the world.

hi linsi,

certainly the government have to take care of this issues (in order of priority)
1. Food and shelter
2. education
3. peace and order

the citizens though will have to do their fair share
1. peace and order situation (stop sensationalizing the news)
2. education (Pinoy IT professionals to have 1 year sabbaticals to teach in the Philippines before going back to their careers to gain more exposure and experience)
3. Family is the basic unit of society. keep your family intact, wherever you go, bring them along. Don't leave your kids with a relative or caretaker. Don't leave your husband/wife in the Philippines.

America also have to stop supplying firearms and getting their toes in other nation's businesses.

That means Al-qaueda will now have no access to firearms and no reason to terrorize poor nations in Asia. They are after America anyway, not Afghanistan, Philippines, or Indonesia. Let America fight their own battles at their home country and let us fight our own domestical battles.

Lanie wrote:

QUOTE:
Interesting blog entry about reactions on a Singapore newspaper article on Filipino IT Professionals in Singapore and what the PSIA is doing to control the exodus of Filipino IT Pinoys from Philippines to Singapore.. which I think is counter productive.

http://reddotpinoys.blogspot.com/2007/08/filipino-it-engineers- flocking-to.html

I agree that the PSIA have to do something to control the so called 'exodus' or flocking of IT Pinoys to Singapore, but I do not agree with the control mechanism that they have decided to take on

- controlling the number of visas (Or more aptly employment pass) granted to IT Pinoys by the Singapore Government..

I think instead of controlling this, they should have initiatives that will pave the way for more MNCs like Microsoft, HP/Compaq, Citibank, UOB, DBS, to move their Asia Regional Headquarters to the Philippines , so as to generate more jobs while creating a more competitive job market and thus increasing the salary range offerred to IT Pinoys.

This is what I have been waiting for so long. Everyday, when I looked at how economically stable Singapore is, I cant help to dream that one day the Philippines will also be a host to these MNCs so I could finally go back home and work there.

For most of the MNCs I have mentioned above, we only have Sales Branches in the Philippines which cater mostly to Philippine local companies as well. Thus, the revenue generated is only enough to sustain local talents.

IF the MNC brances in the Phils are converted to Regional HQ and target other countries around it...we could generate enough revenued to sustain International Talents.. we can generate more jobs for local talents too (Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, NEwly Grads in IT etc..)..

those are just starters..when the Phils is home to these Regional HQ..it will carry tourism revenue as well...

oh how I wish!!

I too share your frustrations as well as dreams...

I believe that, we must increase the skill level and quality of our IT grads rather than control the outflow...

controlling the so called 'exodus', is an admission of failure... and lack of pride and confidence in ourselves... and our learning institutions...