The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) welcomed the government’s approval of expanded work-from-home flexibility for registered business enterprises, saying the move offers immediate operational relief to companies and workers grappling with rising costs.
Under Fiscal Incentives Review Board Resolution No. 005-2026, signed April 8, investment promotion agencies may allow registered business enterprises to place up to 90 percent of their workforce under temporary remote work arrangements.
The policy responds to risks tied to the national energy emergency declared by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Executive Order No. 110 amid tensions in the Middle East.
WFH arrangements were widely practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when health quarantines restricted mobility. Such work arrangements were largely abandoned to help property developers fill buildings built for the first industry.
IBPAP said the measure would ease pressure on firms and employees by reducing commuting expenses and enabling flexible staffing without disrupting service delivery.
The group had earlier proposed the arrangement to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, warning that higher fuel and transport costs could undermine attendance and business continuity.
IBPAP president and chief executive officer Jack Madrid said the decision underscores effective coordination between industry and government.
He said the collaboration has produced practical solutions aligned with the sector’s evolving operational requirements.
The association added that greater flexibility would help firms stay agile, meet client demand, and sustain growth despite shifting conditions.
FIRB chairperson Frederick D. Go said the government stands ready to support investors navigating the energy crunch while maintaining fiscal discipline.
IBPAP said it will continue working with policymakers to advance measures that strengthen resilience and reinforce the Philippines’ position as a leading global IT-BPM destination.
