'UNDERGROUND' IT-BPOs. Workers in the information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) sector have returned to their offices since April 1, 2022. Some firms have reported that they are losing their workers to 'underground' IT-BPOs, which offer higher pay and work-from-home set-up. (File photo) MANILA - The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has received reports that registered information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) companies are losing their employees to "underground" IT-BPO entities operating in a work-from-home (WFH) set-up. In an interview, PEZA director general Charito Plaza said these underground operations of entities servicing the IT-BPO sector provide higher salary and offer WFH arrangement, which is favorable especially to the voice segment of the industry. "When I had a dialogue with Cebu IT-BPOs, I found out there are now virtual or IT-related businesses who we call as underground. Underground be