A Quick Look at Cebu's Call Center

Cebu is not only home to the grandest of all festivals, the Sinulog, or the pristine and world class beach resorts, or the"danggit," (salted fish) or the delicious otaps and rosquillos; Cebu is also home to BPO's, better known as call centers, that have sprouted like mushrooms for the past 8 years. There are more than 60 BPO firms that have set up shop in the city  employing around 50,000 workforce. Majority of these call centers are located in Asiatown I.T. Park and some have offices in Cebu Business Park in Ayala Business Center.






BPOs are, indeed, a boon to the city in that it has significantly altered its economic landscape  -  in a positive way. It has provided much needed employment to new entrants to the work force and to those who want a career shift. As long as an applicant has good communication skills, the right attitude and aptitude; regardless of age, the applicant has a greater chance of being hired. Those that are fresh from college have acquired strong purchasing power due to the high compensation and benefits offered by BPOs. Young and compulsive as they are, they spend more. As a result,  the retailers sector and other businesses like food, transportation, also brisk sales. More sales means increased production, which translates to more jobs. The ripple effect is also evident in the construction of new buildings in anticipation of additional BPO firms wanting to establish their presence in Cebu. More construction acitivities means, again, more jobs. Not to mention the huge revenue the city government generates from income taxes paid by BPO companies.






Everything is coming up roses for the BPO sector in Cebu in 2012.  With Cebu being cited as the no. 1 emerging global outsourcing or business process outsourcing city in the world for 2 consecutive years (2008 & 2009) by Tholons, an international consulting and strategic advisory firm, Cebu has finally come on its own and it is poised to be one of the frontrunnersm if not the leader,  in the BPO arena.  In fact, The Cebu Investment and Promotions Center disclosed that at least 8 BPOs have signified their interest to relocate in Cebu. It initially identified 5: United Health Care, Promet,  Health Care Corporation of America (HCCA) Philippines, Inc., United Health EXL, Promet, United Health Care, and Talleco.