BIZ BUZZ: Wanted: More Pinoy VAs

With the Philippines firmly established as one of the world’s biggest (and one of the most cost-competitive) outsourcing hubs, it’s no surprise that Filipino virtual assistants (VAs) have become increasingly sought after.

That trend, however, became even more pronounced in the second quarter, when demand for Filipino VAs more than doubled, according to the latest data from global recruitment agency VA Masters.

In its State of the Filipino Virtual Assistant Industry report, the recruitment firm said new client signups had climbed a record 110 percent between the first and second quarters of 2026.

Article continues after this advertisement

And it’s not just their technical skills or strong command of English that’s drawing employers.

Apart from the country’s reputation as a “reliable” base for remote workers, the report said businesses could save up to 80 percent by hiring Filipino virtual assistants rather than recruiting locally in their home markets.

“Modern companies are actively looking for simple, affordable ways to grow,” VA Masters founder and CEO Alon Pearl said. “Business owners are searching for reliable remote workers rather than waiting for someone to pitch them.”

For aspiring VAs, however, the boom comes with a catch: only a small fraction of applicants ultimately land the job.

Based on 166,350 applications reviewed by VA Masters, only one in every 508 candidates landed a job, equivalent to a placement rate of just 0.2 percent. The recruitment firm described the sector as “one of the most selective talent pipelines.”

Article continues after this advertisement

It added that employers continue to favor experienced, English-proficient workers, with about 80 percent of successful hires demonstrating fluent or native-level English proficiency, while 65 percent had at least three years of relevant work experience.

It’s safe to say that even with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, demand for Filipino VAs appears to be holding strong. INQ