Philippine IT-BPM Sector Targets $50B Goal: A Shift from Workforce Volume to AI-Powered Value

By Patricia Mirasol

IBPAP, in its 2028 outlook, said the IT-BPM industry is prioritizing AI-enabled capability over headcount.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), in its 2028 industry outlook, said the IT-BPM industry’s next phase of growth will be driven less by workforce scale and more by higher-value capabilities and AI-enabled talent.

The association projects the industry to reach between $43.3 billion and $50.5 billion in revenue in 2028, up from $40.3 billion in 2025. It also projects 1.85 million and 2.14 million full-time employees, an increase from 2025's 1.9 million, by the same year.

Maintaining the industry's growth momentum, according to the association's President and CEO Jack Madrid, necessitates the following:

deliberate action in talent development,
targeted expansion into higher-value segments, and
sustained collaboration across industry, government, and academe.

“The next chapter will increasingly be defined by the value every Digital Filipino Worker (DFW) creates. That is the shift from capacity to capability,” he said in a July 14 press statement.“This outlook is ambitious, but achievable."

The crux of the IT-BPM industry's strategy is transforming talents into AI-enabled DFWs, professionals who are able to combine AI fluency and deep domain expertise with the human capabilities of judgement, critical thinking, empathy, and leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Philippine IT-BPM industry’s growth outlook for 2028?

The industry projects reaching between $43.3 billion and $50.5 billion in revenue by 2028, increasing from the $40.3 billion recorded in 2025. It also expects the total workforce to range between 1.85 million and 2.14 million full-time employees by that year.

What does the shift from "capacity to capability" mean?

This shift signifies that the industry is moving away from measuring success primarily by workforce size ("capacity") and is instead focusing on the value generated by "capability," or the integration of AI-enabled talent. The goal is to evolve the workforce into higher-value service segments rather than just expanding headcount.

What defines a "Digital Filipino Worker" (DFW)?

A Digital Filipino Worker is defined as a professional who combines AI fluency and deep domain expertise with essential human capabilities. These core human skills include judgment, critical thinking, empathy, and leadership, which are considered vital for success in an increasingly automated global digital economy.

Which sectors are expected to drive IT-BPM growth through 2028?

Growth is expected to be fueled by sustained expansion into higher-value service segments. Key drivers include Global Capability Centers (GCCs), healthcare, banking and financial services, and emerging markets.

What training programs are available to upskill Filipino professionals?

No-cost upskilling initiatives are available to equip professionals with the necessary skills for an AI-enabled workplace. These include Project UNLAD, which is conducted in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Additionally, the AI Tech Academy in Cebu is a collaboration with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, while the Byte The Gap program is run in partnership with the Department of Education.

Patricia Mirasol

Managing Editor

Patricia Mirasol has spent the better part of a decade telling stories that matter, and building the teams and platforms to tell them well. A former multimedia journalist and producer at BusinessWorld — where she covered health, technology, and MSMEs and eventually co-led the online team — she's now managing editor at the refreshed The Business Manual.

Her work has been recognized by the Philippine Space Agency, the Philippine Press Institute, and the Department of Science and Technology, and spans articles, podcasts, videos, and immersive long-form features on topics close to everyday Filipino life: motorcycle taxis, water systems, and beyond.

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