BPOs flocking to the Global City

Unlike the Makati skyline dominated by buildings 30 stories and above, Bonifacio Global City when viewed from the horizon some years from now is likely to feature a flatter silhouette. Indicating new directions being taken by the Philippine economy, the lower skyline is likely to be dictated by business processing outsourcing (BPO) establishments, a sector that has been largely responsible for reviving the office market. Classified as IT and IT-enabled Services, BPO establishments that favor buildings 15 stories and below are projected to robustly grow by 39% per annum for the next five years.

Because of its proximity to Makati and its ability to cater to the needs of BPOs, Bonifacio Global City is the business district most likely to be hosting the backroom operations of many multinationals in the region. A number of BPOs are already located in the two office buildings in the district while a third being constructed by Ayala Land is dedicated to providing operational support to HSBC’s branches throughout the Philippines.

Marivic E. Anonuevo, Senior Vice President of Ayala Land’s Corporate Business Group, explains that BPOs have special requirements. One of two main partners in BGC, Ayala Land offers build-to-suit spaces that allow the principles to meet their unique needs. Among other unique requirements, these usually include vast floor plates with large spaces between columns, a layout that allows employee spaces to be lined up in rows for easy supervision.

In view of the 24/7 operations of BPOs, they also require that the air-conditioning can be turned on and off in sections as required by the shifting schedules. Most important of all, redundancies are also necessary to ensure that the computer systems, electronic equipment, telecommunication facilities and other vital apparatus remain running even if the main system shuts down or is under repair. "We can customize our offers based on the client’s needs," explains Anonuevo.

Most of the BPOs doing business in the country provide accounting, helpdesk and human resources services. Many companies have opted to have their office buildings constructed by Ayala Land because it relieves the multinationals of the headaches of construction, which is likely not to be among their core competencies.

Mel K. Ignacio, Ayala Land Senior Division manager, also explains that Bonifacio Global City is attractive to BPOs because it has an established special economic zone that allows locators to avail of incentives. "Unlike other city locations, we don’t need to seek to be converted into a PEZA zone," she says.

Preferred by multinationals because it has set a track record for successful build-to-suit projects, Ayala Land counts the PeopleSupport Center and the Convergys building in the Makati Business District and the Infonxx Building in Sta. Rosa, Laguna among its projects that were delivered on time, on budget and according to client’s specifications.

In addition, Bonifacio Global City is offering office spaces that will be available for lease at the end of 2006 at the retail and office promenade, the focal point of the business district’s city center consisting of a 400 sqm. linear park lined by retail stores on the ground floor. The office spaces will be located on the second floor, on top of the retail areas. A total of 6,500 sqm. of office space will be available in the area.

At least 50 percent of the retail promenade’s office area has been leased out to small and medium scale enterprises and other companies that will use the area as sales showrooms, learning centers, doctors offices and the like.

"These companies value the prime location of the project and its proximity to the upscale and exclusive communities within Bonifacio Global City and Makati," adds Anonuevo.

From the retail promenade, the Market! Market! is just a stone’s throw away. The budget mall offers several fast food restaurants as well as major transportation hubs connecting Bonifacio Global City with the eastern, northern and southern towns and cities of the national capital region.

For more information about Bonifacio Global City’s office and lot spaces, please call 841-5888 / 841-5876 or email [email protected]