The Philippine Government, the Economy, and the Role of the BPO Industry in the Country's Future

The Philippines has the 4^th largest economy in South East Asia. It has a mixed economic system and its industry's important sectors include food processing, textiles and garments, electronics parts, and automobile parts. Agriculture and mining also have great potentials in the Philippines. The lands mostly are rich in chromite, nickel, and copper, and the rich soil produces fruits, vegetables, root crops, and rice for the farmers. Most industries are centered in the urban areas like Metro Manila and Cebu.

Unfortunately, since the end of World War II, the economic situation of the Philippines has significant ups and downs. This country was at one time one of the richest countries in South East Asia before the period of chronic weak performance of several corrupt leaders that made the economy unstable.

After the protracted dictatorship of the corrupt leader, Ferdinand Marcos, the Philippines was able to gradually uplift its economy by the restoration of democracy from the succeeding administrations of the late Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos. At some point in time the economy deteriorated again due to political instability, major problem regarding the nation's electricity, multi-billion debts left by the Marcos regime, and a wave of major natural disasters which further damped economic activity.

The succeeding Joseph Estrada administration tried to continue the reform that was started by the previous administrations, yet, a major bank failure and political disturbances, following his impeachment and subsequent departure from office led to a slower growth of the economy. This made the Filipino people leave the country and seek greener pasture in foreign lands. The Philippines started producing overseas Filipino workers (OFW), where domestic helpers and personal service workers are the majority of the exported services and were filled mostly by women. The OFWs have contributed a lot to the economy through remittances, buying properties, and creating businesses.

It was under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that pushed towards faster economic growth. Her stance towards economic improvement has remarkably re-emerged and restored the economy. Major infrastructures arose in the metropolitan areas of Luzon, while Metro Cebu also became an attraction for foreign and local investors. It was in her time that the Philippines ventured into a new economic boon that encompasses the Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industry. It was then that the Philippines became the second largest call center industry, next to India, according to the June 2008 study that was released by Oracle Corp.

The emergence of BPO industries in the Arroyo administration has a humungous effect in the country's unemployment rate, helping thousands of young individuals feed their families and provide them a comfortable lifestyle. Majority of the top ten BPO firms of the United States, operate in the Philippines and invested billions of dollars because of the quality of service that the Filipinos provide.

However, the country is still facing several challenging problems such as high oil prices and political instability and mudslinging. Recently the country suffered the destructive wake of two typhoons that wreaked serious havoc on the agricultural sector. It was also during Arroyo's administration where large-scale corruption activities were discovered and was divulged by some of her cronies who can not stand anymore her greed.

Money sent by OFW back to the country represents a huge chunk in the country's economy today. This makes the country the fourth largest recipient of foreign remittances behind India, China, and Mexico. The rising call center industries also provided a positive impact to the economy. Indeed, the call center industry will play a significant role as the country continues to develop its full potential and forges towards the millennium.

Telemarketing Call Center (724Care Inc.), is a premier provider of business process outsourcing services in the Philippines located in Cebu City, specializes Appointment Setting services and Market Research survey. You may call its toll free number at 1-888-724-888-9.

How Call Center Jobs can Change Your Lifestyle

Call center jobs rank as one of the most in-demand jobs and careers these days. This is especially true in the Philippines. There is a constant urgency for hiring by emerging call center companies. One does not need to have a Bachelor's degree as a requirement for employment. All it takes is for one to speak fluently and to sound exactly like an American, British, or Australian national. This is because most of these companies cater to English speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Today's young generation aspire to land jobs as call center agents in these companies because they pay more than double some of the common jobs or professions such as teachers, nurses, clerks, bank tellers, and many others. Apart from the good pay, working in this type of industry helps one his or her speaking and language skills since most call center companies offer free language training courses before one formally starts as a call center agent. It also helps boost one's self-confidence because one gets to speak with foreign people from all walks of life in those aforementioned countries. It is like working abroad without actually leaving the Philippines.

For companies who urgently need hundreds of agents they would temporarily hire people usually from 18 to 25 years of age, even if their speech level is not satisfactory. They would offer one week to one month training, depending on how fast one learns and adapts to the English language. These companies also offer a significant amount for daily allowance. Once the trainee surpassed the training he or she can formally start as an agent and will receive above minimum wage with further allowances including transportation, clothing, medical, and perfect attendance bonus. An additional night differential pay of 10 to 30 percent from the basic pay if you are scheduled to work from 10 in the evening until 6 in the morning, because most of these companies operate during night time in the Philippines while it is day time in the US, UK, or Canada. The extraordinary work hours contribute to changes in the sleeping patterns of call center agents. They are asleep at daytime but alive and in full work mode at nighttime. This drastic change in one's natural biological clock can result health problems for some.

Philippine call centers are mostly located in highly urbanized areas where conveniences of modern living and technology are very accessible. But that as it may, this set-up can make one's young life complicated. Why? Because there are lots of peer pressure. With the more than adequate amount of income they are receiving, the amount of peer pressure existing in this industry is enough to make a fresh soul into an established smoker and an avid night-life goer, and of course the lure of the liquor bar is never far behind. In addition to that, one has to live a fast paced and costly city life which include all the different monthly bills that come with urban living such as rentals or monthly amortizations for an apartment or condo unit, water, electricity, internet, phones, car loans, insurances, and a lot more.

Another thing is that call center agents are heavy coffee drinkers and smokers. The caffeine and the nicotine help them stay awake at night especially if they do not have sufficient sleep during daytime. Others who do not drink coffee or smoke quickly acquired the habit because they believe this will help their stamina last for 8 hours for this nocturnal job.

As the BPO industry expands, there will be lots of posts to be filled up. This would definitely help a lot in decreasing the country's unemployment rate, and providing people with a good life. Most people who have been in the industry for a long time are successful and satisfied despite of the pressure that surrounds the job and the life-changing habits that come with the job.

724Care Inc., is a premier provider of business process outsourcing services in the Philippines located in Cebu City, specializes Appointment Setting services and Market Research survey. You may call its toll free number at 1-888-724-888-9.