Cebu remains a BPO magnet

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu remains to be in the radar of big and small Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms, among other locations outside Metro Manila.

In a recently held “Cebu Property Market Briefing” hosted by Colliers International Philippines, the company affirmed the promising potential of Cebu’s BPO growth this year and post pandemic.

According to  Joey Roi H.Bondoc, head for research at Colliers, the office vacancies left by Chinese POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) can be easily occupied as more BPO companies are now planning to open up or expand operations in Cebu.

This means that amid closures and streamlining of workforce of some businesses, particularly in the tourism sector, Cebuanos could count on  brisker BPO employment opportunities.

Despite the work-from-home (WFH) arrangements adapted by some BPO companies and other industries, Bondoc believes fast recovery of office occupancy rate in Cebu in short term.

  BPOs and other industries are now starting to build amplified business continuity plans (BCP) and Cebu emerged as one of the top favorites among office locators.

 Aside from Cebu IT Park and Cebu Business Park, some locations in Mandaue and Mactan are gaining attention because of their ample office space supply with PEZA accreditation.

Pre-pandemic Mandaue City and Mactan were major destinations for Chinese POGO tenants. These fully-furnished office spaces are now vacant after the Chinese locators left following COVID-19 spread in the Philippines in March 2020.

 Cebu’s rich supply of talents, its reputation as Tholon’s highly rated outsourcing destination in the world, and substantial supply of PEZA registered offices are few of the charms that attract expanding BPOs and businesses  in the Philippines.

 “During the pandemic, and even at the start of 2021, Cebu still corners at lot of inquiries for office spaces,” said Bondoc.