Iloilo strengthens grip on BPO investments
CEBU, Philippines - Iloilo City is now working double time to strengthen its grip on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investments, capitalizing on its ample power supply, abundant manpower and government fiscal perks.
In an interview with Iloilo City government's public relations head Jose Rey Delfin, he said that the local government headed by Mayor-elect Jed Patrick Mabilog is set to boost its BPO investments by forging strong partnership with the private sector, such as developers like Megaworld Corporation, which is currently building a P35 billion township development in the city.
At present, Iloilo is hosting several BPO companies enjoying both perks from PEZA and Board of Investments, including local government incentives, Delfin said.
In Megaworld's 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park, there are at least four outsourcing firms operating, employing over four thousand people.
According to Delfin, the City government has created an Iloilo Economic Triangle, which hosts three townships, developed by big developers in the country.
The city, which is positioned as the new emerging site for investments in Western Visayas provides at least 22 thousand college graduates every year.
Its readiness to host outsourcing and other kinds of investments is also being complemented by building huge convention center to take advantage of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibit) events.
In partnership with Megaworld, Iloilo City built the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), which can accommodate over 3,000 people at one time. It hosted last year's APEC Ministerial Meeting held in the city.
Meanwhile, economist Bernardo Villegas said this active stance of regional cities in Southern Philippines to polish their appeal as BPO investment site may pose as an alarming threat to Cebu.
According to Villegas, while Cebu is undoubtedly on top in terms of growth, the province is warned not to be too complacent, as the problem of infrastructure is starting to weaken Cebu's charm.
"Do not let Iloilo [and other provinces] steal your thunder, " warned economist Bernardo Villegas.
Villegas expressed deep concern about the worsening traffic problem in Cebu, that could shy away investors especially in fast growing outsourcing, and manufacturing sectors, as well as tourism.
If Cebu will not be able to fix the needed infrastructure, other key cities like Iloilo, Dumaguete, Davao, and others will be reaping the benefits.
Villegas was specifically calling once again on concerned government authorities, to take care of Cebu's charm to investors, tourists, otherwise other neighboring cities and provinces will be able to "steal" the benefits that Cebu could have gotten.
"Your infrastructure is not catching up," said Villegas emphasizing that the traffic problem alone is one of the obvious manifestations that Cebu is not serious in being ahead of the projected (economic) progress.
"It is the greatest responsibility of the state to make sure that infrastructure is always ahead of progress," said Villegas, stressing that Cebu is almost on the brink of losing its attractiveness, if problems in infrastructure, as well as traffic will not be given utmost resolution. (FREEMAN)
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