CEBU 5th District Representative Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco has criticized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for what he described as its lack of decisive action amid growing concerns over the proposed “Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025” — a U.S. legislation that could severely impact the Philippines’ Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector and threaten the jobs of more than 1.7 million Filipinos, including tens of thousands of Cebuanos.
The proposed U.S. measure, now being deliberated in Congress, seeks to discourage the offshoring of call center operations by requiring American companies to notify the U.S. Secretary of Labor before moving jobs overseas. It also mandates public disclosure of companies that outsource, disqualifying them from federal grants or loans for five years, and gives consumers the right to demand U.S.-based service agents.
Frasco said that despite the potential economic fallout, the DTI fell short in taking proactive diplomatic or policy steps to defend the Philippines’ interests. “While the DTI has expressed readiness to assist the BPO sector, to date, it has not initiated formal talks with U.S. counterparts, convened a unified strategy with IBPAP, PEZA, and BOI or issued a clear and time-bound action plan to protect our BPO workers,” Frasco stated. “Given our dependence on the U.S. market, a wait-and-see approach is unacceptable. The livelihoods of millions of Filipino families hang in the balance.”
The Philippine BPO industry is a vital economic driver, generating around US$35 billion annually, with roughly 70 percent of clients coming from the U.S. Cebu, in particular, stands as one of the country’s largest outsourcing hubs outside Metro Manila, hosting major BPO operations in Cebu City, Mandaue, and nearby municipalities. The sector provides stable, high-value employment for tens of thousands of Cebuanos, supporting families and stimulating local businesses across the province.
“Cebu has become a cornerstone of the country’s outsourcing success,” Frasco said. “Our local communities benefit greatly from the jobs, skills development, and opportunities created by the BPO sector. Any disruption caused by this U.S. legislation would have a direct and painful impact on Cebuano workers and families.”
In the House Resolution No. 386 filed by Frasco today, the Cebu 5th District Representative urges the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Board of Investments (BOI), and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), to immediately undertake diplomatic and trade engagements with the U.S. government to ensure the continued operation of U.S.-affiliated BPO firms in the country.
“The DTI must act with urgency and clarity,” Frasco said. “The Philippines has long been a trusted and strategic partner of U.S. companies. It is the responsibility of our government to defend that partnership, protect our workers, and safeguard an industry that sustains the livelihood of countless Filipino families.”
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