China is "catching up" in English proficiency: Philippine official

MANILA, Dec. 8 -- The Philippine National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has alerted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that China is "catching up" with other rivals in the region, including the Philippines, in terms of English proficiency.

NEDA Acting Director-General Augusto Santos said in a Palace news briefing on Tuesday after the Cabinet meeting that China may erode the gains of the Philippines in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector if it fails to keep its edge in English proficiency.

"We note that here's this report that China catching up with India in terms of speaking English," Santos said.

He said that when he made the report during the Cabinet meeting presided by Mrs. Arroyo, the Chief Executive said, "Oh, we have to watch out."

"She's very glad that particular information was fed to the Cabinet so we have to work," Santos said.

He said that NEDA had previously stressed to the Cabinet the importance of English proficiency if it wants to be globally competitive.

"As of now, we still have the edge but indications are pointing to China's catching up," he said.

When asked, Santos said that China is not yet a threat to the Philippines in terms of the BPO industry "but if we don't watch out, we may be overtaken. They may catch up with us."

Santos said that the main investor draw of China is its cheap labor.