GOVERNMENT is taking steps to prevent further "brain drain" in the country’s IT workforce after a steady rise in demand for Filipino IT professionals in the United States.

This is amid a report that the Philippines topped a recent US survey on IT worker skills. While the report, prepared by the influential Meta research group, is encouraging, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Felipe Medalla said it would be in the best interest of the country to keep IT workers at home and give them the best possible path for career growth.

Part of the government’s plan is to lure foreign IT companies into setting up shop in the Philippines.

"Instead of (the US companies) recruiting our skilled IT workers, I think it would be best if we could invite them instead to come over to the Philippines and set up shop here," Medalla said in a television interview.

Medalla noted that the Philippine government will take steps to strengthen its IT programs and offer incentives to foreign companies that may wish to start operations in the country.

This includes tax holidays, permanent resident status of foreign employees and officers, and other government incentives.

Though the political crisis has hampered investor confidence and forced IT professionals to accept jobs abroad, Medalla said he is hopeful that as soon as the political climate is tempered the Philippines will reassert its position as an IT hub in the region.