Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT) Statement on EO 47

The Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology or CEDFIT respectfully but urgently appeals to His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III , President of the Republic of the Philippines, to reconsider Executive Order 47 dated June 23, 2011 which served to abolish the Commission on Information and Communication Technology under the Office of the President and replaced it with the ICT Office under DOST due to the following reasons:

1. The IT/BPO (or Outsourcing) Industry of Cebu is a major industry that directly employs more than 50,000 people. It is fast catching up with the export manufacturing sector with prospects of double digit growth in the short and long term.
   
   
2. This industry is generating high value employment where wages are more than twice the minimum wage.
   
   
3. Cebu City is now recognized globally as "One of the Top Ten Emerged Global Outsourcing Cities" by Tholons, a global advisory group.
   
   
4. Cebu, together with Metro Clark, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete and other emerging cities has benefited from the outsourcing industry.
   
   
5. The development of the so-called Next Wave Cities(cities mentioned above) is the result of the country-side prosperity the industry has brought about. This was also made possible with the assistance of more than 30 ICT Councils which were organized with the support of CICT.
   
   
6. Cebu (and the Philippines as a whole) is a front runner in the outsourcing industry competing in the global arena so we need all the support from the government and the ultimate manifestation of this support is the creation of the Department of ICT through legislation in both Congress and Senate.

The IT/BPO Industry has changed the skyline of Cebu and has brought prosperity like no other industry. It's impact is much bigger in Metro Manila and it is now being felt in the next wave cities. It deserves to be fully supported by at least a Commission on ICT or a full blown Department of ICT.

Signed this 12th day of July 2011.

Jun Sa-a
Executive Director
Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology