Cebu BPO stakeholders to pool ideas to actualize IT roadmap

CEBU, Philippines - Stakeholders of Cebu Business Process Outsourcing and Information Technology (BPO/IT) are expected to put their heads together in “Actualizing Cebu’s BPO-IT Roadmap” in order to capture a huge chunk of the expected US$250 billion industry by 2016.

The formulation of the roadmap is one of the priorities during the upcoming BPO/IT conference next month, as part of the major activities of the Cebu Business Month (CBM 2011).

BPO/IT conference chair Jerry Rapes said that Cebu should move double-time in sustaining its attractiveness to the world’s outsourcing sector, as other destinations are also catching up, and may largely threaten Cebu’s potential.

“If we put our acts together it is possible that Cebu can get at least US$25 billion of the US$250 million market by 2016,” said Rapes.

According to Rapes Cebu should have an effective roadmap in BPO and IT sectors, in order to sustain its attractiveness, and strengthen its position as a globally acknowledged investment destination for BPO and IT.

The time is now, he said as the Philippines has already over taken India especially in the BPO-voice (contact centers) services.

However, Cebu should not be complacent being the Center for Excellence in this area, as a lot of Cities not only in the Philippines, but around the world are also working hard to get their share in the multi-billion-dollar and growing BPO/IT industry.

Cebu will initially develop the five critical areas in the sustaining the industry which is expected to bring wealth in the economy, these are; climbing from the voice-service chain and move up to the high-value, high-yielding Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO); effectively formulate Cebu as a strong brand for BPO and ICT, and strengthening the human resource pool—to include the commitment; constant development of Cebu’s academe sector; building proper infrastructure for the future (as the industry thrive in global connectivity), and also encouraging the local techno-prenuer in engaging into BPO and IT related businesses, that includes paving the way for mature Venture Capital market in Cebu.

To held on June 8, 2011, the BPO/IT event dubbed “Cebu’s Roadmap for Sustaining Growth in the ICT and BPO,” aims at focusing discussions mainly on the newly crafted and launched ICT and BPO Roadmap in coordination with Tholons and the Cebu Investments and Promotions Center (CIPC).

“The event aims for a consensus among top executives and decision makers on how to support and realize this three to five-year roadmap,” Rapes said.

Part of the event, is also to push the program called “Developers Connect” or DevCon, in partnership with the Ayala Foundation, which aims to gather the IT geeks in Cebu, and recognize their talents and creations.

Today, the Cebu BPO/IT sector is employing over 50 thousand people, still a little percentage from the over 500 thousand total BPO/IT workforce nationwide.

Rapes said if Cebu will unite and put their hands together in this noble cause, there is no doubt that it could surpass the target of getting US$25 billion out of the US$250 billion market in the BPO/IT sector globally.

“Let us capitalize on our advantage. Let us grow the 50 thousand directly employed in this sector. We have the potential, let leverage on this,” Rapes said. (FREEMAN)