MANILA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines was urged to fully support the booming outsourcing industry of the country at the launching of an "Offshoring and Outsourcing Roadmap 2010" program in Metro Manila on Monday.

    At the roadmap launching, initiated by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said she would fully support the program.

    BPAP officials presented Arroyo with the program in Makati City, the country's financial hub.

    BPAP officials said "the Roadmap 2010 report aims to convey a sense of urgency to all industry stakeholders to commit to all the proposed plans and seize the opportunity for growth."

    Dan Reyes, president of BPAP, said the outsourcing industry is at its crossroads, and the recent international award of the Philippines as one of the best outsourcing of the world is a big leap. "We see a bright future of the industry", said Yeyes.

    Reyes also said initiatives like partnership between the industry players, academe and government is vital.

    BPAP called on the government to fully endorse the program and demonstrate commitment and support-like scholarship program and to tap ways and means in the protection of current incentives given to the industry players.

    By the end of 2006, outsourcing industry of the Philippines has employed 235,000 people, earned 3.3 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, and contributed to roughly 2 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), said BPAP.

    The Roadmap 2010 report discussed plan to meet the workforce requirements, the plan which defines the formula for developing new locations for outsourcing industry outside Metro Manila, and the business environment requirement for ensuring right level of government and private sector support for the industry.