Unemployment remains a perennial issue despite the promise brought by the country’s rapid economic growth in recent years. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, unemployment rate in the country stood at 5.7 percent as of the third quarter of 2015.
Even in the face of such challenges, Filipinos still prove to be among the best talents in Southeast Asia. Thanks to their impressive communication skills, technical knowledge and dedication to work, many of the country’s professionals have shown great capability in excelling across a diverse range of fields including customer service, manufacturing and production, information technology, health, and so forth.
Because of these Filipino qualities, many foreign companies have chosen the country to invest in infrastructure and build offices, opening up employment opportunities not just in Metro Manila, but also in Baguio City in Benguet, Angeles City in Pampanga and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental to bring work closer to where people live.
However, these developments are not happening fast enough and are still concentrated in major cities. This means that many Filipinos still find it necessary to relocate or commute long distances just to find and secure stable employment.
Outside the usual offices of the metro, a new breed of independent professionals is reaping incomes in foreign currencies right at the comforts of home. These online freelancers are not only bringing profits to their doorstep; they also get to enjoy growth in their careers and personal lives thanks to the greater freedom they have to pursue their desired lifestyles.
Perhaps the most important benefit that comes with online freelancing is that it has the potential to bring global opportunities to any place in the world, including areas where work is scarce. According to 2015 data from freelance talent marketplace Upwork, some of the top cities in the Philippines in terms of freelancer earnings include Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and other locations beyond Metro Manila. Based on the data, the customer service category is among the leading categories for online work in these locations.
“It’s not only because of their proficiency in English that makes online work ideal for many talented Filipinos. It’s also because of their hard work and dedication, along with their ability to communicate easily with companies from around the globe, that enable them to find success in online freelancing,” says Ron Cirujano, Upwork country manager. “With Internet connectivity becoming more and more available nationwide, it has become possible for Filipino talents to find career opportunities no matter where they are in the country.”
With the power of Internet connectivity, talented Filipinos can now find income opportunities without having to relocate to another city, which has long been the case in the Philippines. For talents in the provinces, this offers a means to receive the same income that workers enjoy in metro cities. From a larger perspective, this also helps reduce unemployment rates by immediately connecting skilled independent professionals to potential clients abroad.
As the world becomes all the more digital, it only makes sense for the Philippines to follow suit. With the current Internet infrastructure still below standard, policy makers and municipalities are urged to support the development of communications technology not only to allow more Filipinos to tap into global opportunities, but also to encourage more inclusive growth across the nation.