Slow ICT infra development delays BPO growth in Bohol

CEBU, Philippines — Premature Information and Communications and Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Bohol slows down the entry of more IT building investments to the province.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Charito Plaza said her office has already identified possible IT Parks in Bohol, but property developers are quite hesitant to build IT buildings because of the slow development of internet data connectivity in the province.

In an interview, Plaza called the attention of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help Bohol improve its IT infrastructure.

Meanwhile, DICT executive adviser to the secretary Monchito Ibrahim said IT infrastructure in Bohol is improving, what keeps outsourcing investors from putting their expansions there is the availability of talents.

“Boholano graduates are still going out of their province after graduation. Most of them go to Cebu to work,” Ibrahim said.

The province of Bohol is now preparing for the influx of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investments, especially the high-value services.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said that a number of outsourcing companies are already operating in Bohol.

Caberte maintained that Bohol is ready to host outsourcing investments because the province’s connectivity is already powered by fiber optic. (FREEMAN)