Philippines top Southeast Asia’s Best Workplaces in Technology 2026

PH firms included in Southeast Asia’s best workplaces 2026 tech list

Story by Bryan Rilloraza 
Technobaboy
10 July 2026

Out of 50 companies included in Southeast Asia’s Best Workplaces in Technology 2026, 23 are certified in the Philippines. Nine of the ten winners in the Large category are Philippine-based, showing the country’s strong presence in the region.

The rankings were based on confidential feedback from 219,262 employees across six countries, making it the largest workplace culture survey in Southeast Asia.

The Philippine IT-BPM sector continues to grow, closing 2025 with US$40 billion in export revenues and a workforce of 1.9 million. It now contributes over 8% of GDP, with projections of US$42 billion and 1.97 million jobs in 2026.

This recognition cements the Philippines as the center of Southeast Asian tech employment, with workplaces that employees would recommend to their peers. The challenge now is to sustain growth while keeping a strong workplace culture.

Top ten firms in the Large Category

1. Cisco (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

2. Carelon Global Solutions Philippines (Philippines)

3. Insight (Philippines, Singapore)

4. Genpact (Philippines)

 5. Visa (Philippines, Singapore)

6. Concentrix Philippines (Philippines)

7. Capital One Philippines (Philippines)

8. Cognizant (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand)

9. Bosch Global Software Technology Company Limited (Vietnam) 

10. Lexmark Research and Development Corporation (Philippines)

Top ten firms in the Medium Category

1. Arcanys (Philippines)
2. Experian (Malaysia, Singapore)
3. Atlassian (Philippines)
4. Kollab (Philippines)
5. One CoreDev IT (Philippines)
6. Lingaro (Philippines)
7. Etrading Software Manila (Philippines)
8. CoDev (Philippines)
9. AGS Health (Philippines)
10. Full Scale Teams PH (Philippines)

Top ten firms in the Small Category

1. Tech One Global Phils., Inc. (Philippines)
2. ABPSecurite (Singapore)
3. HP Technology Vietnam Company Ltd (Vietnam)
4. Menlo Security (Singapore)
5. Cloudera (Singapore)
6. Manifest Global (Singapore)
7. RAKSUL Vietnam (Vietnam)
8. Ansarada (Vietnam)
9. HEMMERSBACH (Malaysia)
10. Karbon (Philippines)

Finland looks into PH for talent attraction

Finland looks to Philippines for talent attraction

Story by Louella Desiderio
Philstar Global
20 January 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Finland is actively encouraging Filipino workers to consider employment opportunities in the European country, citing the Philippines as one of its focus countries for talent attraction.

Laura Lindeman, senior director and head of Work in Finland, told reporters the Philippines, along with Vietnam, India and Brazil, has been identified by the Finnish government as one of the focus countries for cooperation in talent attraction and recruitment.

Work in Finland is a unit of Business Finland, an organization for financing innovation and promoting trade, travel and investment. It is under Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

As part of efforts to attract Filipino workers, Lindeman said Work in Finland joined the delegation of stakeholders led by Finland’s Minister of Employment Arto Satonen that visited the Philippines from Jan.16 to 18.

“Finland really sees the Philippines as a very interesting market,” Lindeman said, noting that the Philippines has a long history of sending people outside the country for work.

She said the Philippines also has good systems in place to facilitate recruitment.

“Finnish recruitment companies have already recruited from the Philippines for more than 10 years. So now we are trying to help on a national level so that they can find reliable partners here because of course, it’s a huge market if you want to open up here,” she said.

She said Filipinos are also well-known, liked and appreciated in the Finnish labor market.

In addition, she said Finland recognizes the skills potential of the Filipino workforce and those in the three other focus countries.

“There are good education institutions in these countries that provide the kind of skills and talent that Finland needs. And then, of course, I think in all of these countries, there is some kind of cultural match,” she said.

She said Finland sees potential for Filipino workers and specialists in the technology, health and industrial sectors.

Data from Work in Finland showed there are 878 job opportunities open for English-speaking professionals.

As of 2023, there were 12,770 Filipino workers employed across various sectors in Finland, mostly in the health, technology, service and industrial sectors.

“Finland is an equal society with exceptional work-life balance. Our high-quality companies offer vast opportunities for professional development and education,” Lindeman said.

To learn more about working and living conditions in Finland, Filipino talents can visit www.workinfinland.com.

Philippines: A Rising Star in Travel & Tourism

The Philippines: A Rising Star in Travel & Tourism with Lucrative Opportunities

Travel & World Tour
Monday, July 15, 2024

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) forecasts a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in the Philippines. The sector’s economic contribution, job numbers, and visitor spending are all expected to reach new highs.

Economic Contribution

The sector’s contribution to the national economy is set to surpass ₱5.4 trillion this year, marking an almost 25% year-on-year growth and soaring 7.1% above the previous 2019 peak. Travel & Tourism now represents more than one-fifth (21.3%) of the country’s economy, highlighting its critical role in supporting the nation and local communities.

Employment and Visitor Spending

Employment in the sector is projected to exceed 9.5 million jobs, accounting for 20% of the national workforce. Both international and domestic visitor spending are also set to break records, reaching ₱715.6 billion and ₱3.7 trillion respectively, surpassing 2019 levels by 5.7% and 1.8%.

Infrastructure and Government Efforts

This growth underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing tourism infrastructure. Efforts are underway to upgrade regional airports to alleviate congestion at Manila’s main airport and make travel more accessible. Julia Simpson, World Travel & Tourism Council President & CEO, commented on the progress: “The remarkable progress of the Philippines’ Travel & Tourism sector highlights the government’s dedication, putting it at the forefront of its national agenda and continuing to improve infrastructure. This unwavering commitment has not only driven economic growth but also enhanced the global standing of the Philippines as a top travel destination.”

2023 Recap and Future Projections

In 2023, the Philippines’ Travel & Tourism sector grew by 83.6% to reach ₱4.34 trillion, representing 17.9% of the country’s total economic output, though it remained 14% below 2019 levels. The sector created over 608,000 new jobs, bringing the total to nearly 9 million, still trailing 2019 levels by 5.4%. Both international and domestic spending saw significant increases, growing by 104.2% and 83.4% to reach nearly ₱630 billion and ₱2.9 trillion respectively.

Looking ahead, World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that by 2034, the sector will grow its annual GDP contribution to nearly ₱9.5 trillion, 22% of the Philippines’ economy. Employment in the sector is projected to exceed 11.9 million people, with one in five residents working in Travel & Tourism.

Southeast Asia Outlook

This year, Southeast Asia’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to grow by 20.6% to reach ₱21 trillion, representing 9.7% of the region’s economy and surpassing the 2019 peak. Jobs are expected to reach over 42.4 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.6% and surpassing 2019 levels. International spending is set to grow by 33.2% to hit ₱8.6 trillion, while domestic visitor spending is set to grow by almost 15.8% to reach ₱10.3 trillion.

World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that Travel & Tourism across the region will continue to grow over the next decade with GDP contribution set to reach almost ₱36 trillion. Jobs are forecast to exceed 56.5 million, creating more than 14 million new jobs.

This research was carried out in partnership with Oxford Economics, with information sourced from UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO), Oxford Economics, and authoritative national databases. All values are in constant 2023 prices and exchange rates, as reported in March 2024, and given in ₱.

About World Travel & Tourism Council

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs, and Presidents of the world’s leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, World Travel & Tourism Council has been committed to raising awareness among governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

Taiwan foundation sponsors scholarship for Filipino youth

Taiwan-Philippines scholarship program empowers Filipino youth

The Manila Times 

15 July 2024

The Taiwan-Philippines Educational Development Foundation (TPEDF) remains very active in advancing its main cause — providing education for deserving but less privileged Filipino youth by sending them to various Taiwanese learning institutions.

For the upcoming school year, the Foundation is again sponsoring the plane tickets of about a thousand students in pursuit of higher education in Taiwan. Slated for August and September flights, these students represent the most outstanding applicants who are recipients of three-year scholarships to Taiwan's famed technological universities with a comprehensive seven-year training program. Those who complete the academic requirements are awarded with a bachelor's degree and an opportunity to be matched with enterprises for employment.

The Foundation is headed by Chai-Liang Lin as the Chief Executive Officer, who aside from being a businessman, is a staunch advocate of education which is a key factor in improving societies and economies. Lin is joined by other foundation stalwarts Kuo-Fang Su, Chairman; Ya-Hui Huang; Chia-Hsiang Lu; Kuo-Chen Wu and I-Ho Hsieh.

They have been providing for the airfares of the students for many years. The project is also annually made successful through the vibrant support of the of Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), Taipei Economic Cultural Office (Teco) in the Philippines, which is the main organization behind these scholarship program.

Philippines travel industry heading toward record high

Philippines travel industry heading toward record high P5.4 trillion

Story by Elijah Felice Rosales
Philstar Global 
29 June 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine travel industry is heading toward an all-time high value of P5.4 trillion this year, propelled by efforts to boost tourism in the provinces and upgrade aviation infrastructure.

Based on forecast by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the country will grow its travel and tourism to new highs in 2024, particularly on economic contribution, job generation and visitor spending.

WTTC projects travel’s contribution to the economy to rise by almost a quarter to P5.4 trillion this year, from P4.34 trillion in 2023.

Likewise, travel will generate at least 9.5 million jobs for Filipinos, comprising one in every five of the labor force. Also, domestic visitor spending is seen to go up to P3.7 trillion, while foreign tourist expenditure is estimated to hit P715.6 billion.

WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson said travel would benefit from public and private efforts to upgrade regional airports. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is investing P14 billion for the development and reconstruction of provincial gateways this year.

Similarly, the DOTr is arranging public-private partnership contracts for the upgrade of airports in Bacolod, Bohol, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Siargao.

Apart from this, Simpson said travel would gain from the impending turnover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. led by San Miguel Corp.

The DOTr is set to hand over NAIA to the consortium by September, and from there the airport will undergo a P170.6 billion rehabilitation in the next 15 years.

WTTC estimates that travel and tourism will raise about P9.5 trillion for the Philippine economy by 2034. By then, the industry will take up 22 percent of the economy, creating jobs for as many as 11.9 million, sustaining one in every five Filipinos.

Regionally, WTTC believes Southeast Asia will grow its travel segment by 21 percent to hit P21 trillion this year. Additionally, jobs in travel and tourism will balloon to 42.4 million, expanding the role of the industry in livelihood generation.

The government is working on the improvement of transport infrastructure across the Philippines to enhance inter-island connectivity, benefitting industries reliant on tourism.

For one, the rehabilitation and upgrade of NAIA is expected to increase the passenger capacity of the airport to 62 million a year, from 32 million at present.

Tourism growth highest in 2023

PSA: Tourism hit highest growth at 47.9% in 2023

Story by Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo
Inquirer.net
19 June 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The local tourism sector grew by a record-high 47.9 percent to P2.09 trillion from P1.41 trillion in 2022, propelled by the surge in expenditures by tourists visiting the country.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday that the tourism sector’s contribution to the economy rose to 8.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, an increase from the 6.4 percent share in 2022.

The tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s economy is defined as the tourism direct gross value added, which is generated by tourism industries and other industries of the economy that directly serve visitors.

“Among the forms of tourism expenditures, inbound tourism expenditure [or tourism expenses of a nonresident or foreign visitor] posted the highest annual growth of 87.7 percent, amounting to P697.46 billion in 2023,” the statistics agency said.

Meanwhile, domestic tourism expenditures, which include spending of residents traveling within the country, amounted to P2.67 trillion in 2023. This was higher by 2.3 percent from the P1.55 trillion in 2022.

Outbound tourism expenditures or the spending of residents traveling abroad increased by 10 percent to P208.25 billion in 2023 from P189.29 billion in 2022.

Internal tourism expenditure, comprising inbound and domestic tourism expenditure, grew by 75.3 percent to P3.36 trillion in 2023 from P1.92 trillion in 2022.

Employment in the tourism sector was estimated at 6.21 million in 2023, up by 6.4 percent from the 5.84 million recorded in 2022. This equates to 12.9 percent of total employment in 2023, highlighting the value of the tourism sector to the overall economy. INQ

PH leads world in workers using AI: Microsoft Philippines

PH leads world in workers using AI: Microsoft Philippines

Arthur Fuentes
ABS-CBN News
Published May 27, 2024 

MANILA - The Philippines leads the world in terms of knowledge workers adopting generative artificial intelligence, Microsoft Philippines said citing the results of its 2024 Work Trend Index, which was conducted together with LinkedIn. 

Atul Harkisanka (L) LinkedIn's Head of Growth Markets and Country Lead for the Philippines, and Peter Maquera, Microsoft Philippines CEO present the 2024 Work Trend Index which shows the Philippines leading in terms of knowledge worker adoption of generative AI at the Microsoft headquarters in Makati, Philippines on May 23, 2024. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News

According to Microsoft, 86 percent of knowledge workers in the Philippines use AI at work. This is higher than the global average of 75 percent and the regional average of 83 percent.

“In terms of the workforce, our 2024 Work Trend Index shows Filipino employees are leading not just Asia, but the world, in leveraging AI to help boost productivity, efficiency and creativity, said Microsoft Philippines CEO Peter Maquera.  

Philippine companies however are not as quick to adopt the technology, leading around 83 percent of Filipino AI users to bring their own AI to work. 

Microsoft said this “poses privacy, security, and legal risks to companies.”

Maquera however said the pace of adoption of AI in the Philippines is “very promising” with "conglomerates" racing to deploy the technology in their systems.

Aside from banks and telcos, which led the way in bringing AI into their systems, other sectors such as retail, manufacturing, airlines, transport and logistics are also looking to deploy AI. 

“In the Philippines, the conglomerates are all racing,” Maquera said during a briefing with tech journalists at the company's country headquarters in Makati.

CAUTION VS OVER-REGULATING AI

Maquera said the software giant supports government regulation of artificial intelligence, but also cautions against the possible over-regulation of the new technology.  

“We are in favor of regulation,” Maquera said. 

A bill has been filed in Congress pushing for the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA) under House Bill 7396 or the “Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act of the Philippines”.

Govt agencies back creation of body to develop, regulate AI

Solon files bill seeking to regulate AI over labor replacement concerns

Several government agencies, including the Interior, Education and Justice departments said they back the creation of an AI regulator. 

An earlier bill meanwhile was filed seeking to “prohibit the replacement of human workers, displacement, loss of security of tenure, or diminution of existing salaries and/or benefits because of the adoption and use of AI and automation technologies.”

Maquera said AI developers should ensure that the technology is safe, secure, and trustworthy. But the Microsoft official also said government regulation of AI needs to be “balanced.”

“Because you don't want to over-regulate so that you stifle innovation,” Maquera said.

He said the company sees that there are already “a lot of laws in place around privacy, around cybersecurity, around copyrights.”

“Our responsibility is to be absolutely committed to AI being safe for everyone,” said Josh Aquino, Microsoft Philippines head of communication. 

Advocacy groups have been warning about the possible ‘bias’ in AI systems which may generate results that are prejudiced against certain groups of people. Cybersecurity professionals meanwhile are concerned over the use of AI in scams and in misinformation.

Philippines makes it to IMO 'white list'

Philippines makes it to IMO 'white list' — DOTr

Story by TED CORDERO
GMA Integrated News 
22 May 2024

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday that the Philippines was once again included on the so-called “white list” of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

In a news release, the DOTr said the country’s inclusion on the white list affirms the Philippines’ status as a major provider of world-class Filipino seafarers in the global maritime industry.

Citing the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Transportation Department said the recognition was given for the country’s commitment to maintaining high standards in maritime education, training, and certification for Filipino seafarers.

It said that the IMO white list signifies that seafarers trained and certified in the Philippines meet the rigorous international standards set by the IMO Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.

"Our goal is to entrench the position of the Philippines as the Maritime Capital of the World by continuously supplying the global maritime industry with high-standard Filipino seafarers," said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

He added that the DOTr is determined to address challenges faced by the maritime industry in the country.

In December 2022, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) notified the Philippines of some deficiencies, including serious ones, such as in the Philippine seafarers’ education, training, and certification system.

MARINA has since exerted efforts to consistently implement and monitor the corrective actions for the benefit of almost 50,000 Filipino seafarers employed by European-flagged vessels.

The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) later confirmed that the Philippines had fully complied with the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

PH manufacturing posted high growth

PH manufacturing growth hit five-month high in April

By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, 
GMA Integrated News
May 2, 2024 

The Philippine manufacturing sector posted its biggest growth in five months in April on the back of higher output and an increase in new orders, results of the latest survey conducted by S&P Global released on Thursday showed.

The headline S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing PMI stood at 52.2 in April, up from 50.9 in March. A reading above 50.0 indicates an expansion, while levels below the threshold indicate a contraction.

"Building on growth seen in the first quarter of the year, the Filipino manufacturing sector showcased further gains in April," S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said in an accompanying statement.

"A quicker rate of expansion was observed for new orders, which in turn triggered a renewed and solid rise in production. Additionally, business from overseas markets also expanded at a stronger rate," she added.

New orders posted the biggest growth since November 2022, while new export orders expanded for the third straight month and at the fastest pace in five months. New work also posted the biggest gain in four months.

The same report found that purchasing efforts at manufacturers saw the quickest upturn in nine months, due to "favourable" demand conditions and higher production requirements, with pre-production stocks accumulated the fastest in 12 months and post-production in 17 months.

Employment continued to grow, but eased slightly from the expansion in March as some firms struggled to complete work in hand, bringing the backlog depletion at the weakest level since August 2023.

Charges for the month were broadly unchanged from March, with input price inflation modest overall.

"Looking ahead, sentiment across the Philippines manufacturing sector was largely positive with nearly a quarter of surveyed businesses predicting growth in production. That said, the degree of confidence slipped to a four-year low," S&P Global said.

The same report found that purchasing efforts at manufacturers saw the quickest upturn in nine months, due to "favourable" demand conditions and higher production requirements, with pre-production stocks accumulated the fastest in 12 months and post-production in 17 months.

Employment continued to grow, but eased slightly from the expansion in March as some firms struggled to complete work in hand, bringing the backlog depletion at the weakest level since August 2023.

Charges for the month were broadly unchanged from March, with input price inflation modest overall.

"Looking ahead, sentiment across the Philippines manufacturing sector was largely positive with nearly a quarter of surveyed businesses predicting growth in production. That said, the degree of confidence slipped to a four-year low," S&P Global said.

New approved Philippine ecozones

New Cavite ecozone seen luring P1.8B in investments

Story by Alden M. Monzon 
Inquirer.net
08 April 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The newly-proclaimed economic zone in Cavite is expected to attract more than P1.8 billion in new investments and create nearly 200 new jobs during its construction, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said last week.

The investment promotion agency told the Inquirer that the prospective value of investments is P1.838 billion for the 40.4-hectare MetroCas Industrial Estates Special Economic Zone, which will rise in Barangay Calibuyo in Tanza, Cavite.

Peza added that the prospective job generation for the economic zone is 180 positions during construction.

The MetroCas ecozone is one of the two new special economic zones that were declared through Proclamation No. 512, which Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed last April 1.

The other is the Arcovia City in Barangay Ugong, Pasig, a 12.4-hectare information technology park of tycoon Andrew Tan’s Megaworld Corp.

According to Peza, an investment of P50 million is expected on the fit out of the project, while about 170 to 240 direct jobs are anticipated to be created.

420 ecozones

To date, there are over 420 economic zones operating in the Philippines, the majority of which are located in Luzon.

During the first quarter of this year, Peza has approved P14.95 billion worth of new investments spanning 50 new and expansion projects inside these economic hubs.

European firm invests in Batangas

5,000 new jobs await Pinoys at future Batangas plant

Story by Alden M. Monzon
Inquirer.net
08 April 2024

The EMS Group of Companies is partnering with a European firm to set up a Batangas production plant for goods targeting female consumers, a venture expected to create up to 5,000 new jobs.

EMS Group of Companies president and chief executive Ferdinand Ferrer told reporters last week they were in the process of finalizing the entry of the European firm.

He said they hoped to start facilitating documentary requirements for the partnership in June.

“The facility is there. But now we have to re-facilitate it to suit these new products,” Ferrer said on the sidelines of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s general membership meeting at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. He declined to specify the amount of potential investment.

The EMS Group of Companies has been in operation in the Philippines for over 15 years and currently has around 18,000 employees. Founded by Ferrer, it has four local subsidiaries engaged in electronics manufacturing, training equipment and learning solutions, and recruitment.

He said they were also wooing other foreign firms, one American and one Japanese, planning to move their assembly operations out of China.

Ferrer noted a rising trend in the international business community called “ABC,” which stands for “Anything but China,” which is characterized by the flight of companies from the East Asian country. INQ