Iloilo City is poised to become one of the biggest business processing outsourcing (BPO) industry hubs in the country in the next three years.
This was the projection of business sectors, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas during the “What’s Up, Western Visayas” conducted last Monday which was attended by entrepreneurs, investors, and the business sector.
“Ang isa ka data nga nag-stick sa akon nga tanan are getting negative growth, kita ya positive pa di. Kung magsige-sige na ang projects, by 2025, we will be the 3rd biggest BPO in the country and we will overtake some of the cities already,” he said during the press conference on Monday.
According to the mayor, the city has been preparing to attract more BPO firms through the years. However, the challenge is constructing more buildings specifically geared towards accommodating the BPO sector.
“Ang challenge ta lang diri is ang number of BPO buildings nga ready, kulang ta lang sang buildings, but in terms of manpower and in terms of power, we have a very stable distribution company, Iloilo City is very poised to get many BPOs coming,” he added.
Treñas added that the city’s attractive rates in terms of power and the good performance of the power distribution utility, MORE Electric and Power Corporation continue to entice more investors.
Currently, several companies are constructing more buildings to attract more BPO firms.
Treñas cited Robinson, Megaworld, SM, and Ayala as among the companies that are currently developing spaces and buildings for the BPO sector.
He said that the Iloilo City government will continue to help out the companies as he underscored the huge role of the BPO sector in providing employment to the Ilonggos.
“Kita ya sa local government we will continue to help out. We know very important ang employment. Every year, kadako sang bulig sang BPO companies,” he said.
Based on the data from the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP), there are currently 102 BPO companies in the metro employing 36,000 workers.
Top business executives, local officials, and the local business sector attended the “What’s Up, Western Visayas” on Monday. The event was organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo Chapter as part of the Iloilo Business Week and the Charter Day celebration. (DG)
