IBPAP cautiously optimistic for IT-BPM sector in 2026

THE IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) is cautiously optimistic that the industry will achieve revenue and headcount growth this year despite continued uncertainty.

- By Justine Irish D. Tabile Reporter

CONDOMINIUM and office buildings dominate the skyline of the Ortigas Business District.

(PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN)

IBPAP President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan R. Madrid said there was a challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic climate in 2025, which may have affected investor confidence and appetite for expansion.

"We will continue to see some of that uncertainty as we begin 2026, but I can say that we are cautiously optimistic about another positive year of growth for the Philippine information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry," Mr. Madrid told reporters on Wednesday.

In 2025, he said that the industry was able to achieve a 5% growth in export revenues to over $40 billion and a 4% growth in headcount to 1.9 million.

These figures, he said, are consistent with the baseline targets set under the industry's roadmap.

While he did not share exact targets for 2026, Mr. Madrid said: "I'll be happy if we did that (5% growth in revenues and 4% growth in headcount)."

"But you have to remember that we are coming from a bigger base and the bigger your starting base, the harder it is to maintain," he added.