Private sector aims for Cebu to improve Tholons ranking

CEBU, Philippines - Industry players in the Information Technology sector are bent on pushing Cebu to eventually land on the top spot of the global list of preferred outsourcing destinations.

Although, business leaders are happy with the improvement on the Cebu’s ranking on Tholons’ Top 100, from rank 8 to a notch higher at rank 7, they are amenable to Tholons’ remarks saying "Cebu has not been marketed enough", prompting the private sector to mount a collaborative strategy.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Ma. Teresa Chan said yesterday that the chamber will immediately spearhead an analytical review and strategy and formulation to capitalize its potential in the outsourcing investment sector.

 Chan said this instant action will be governed by a strict timeline so that it will not remain in papers or study, but should be immediately generate actual results.

 Considering that Tholons’ view is from an objective broader perspective, "we should seriously consider, analyze and act on if we want to capitalize on and bolster the image of Cebuanos as capable, and reliable."

 According to Chan, there is an urgent need for closer collaboration between the private sector and the concerned government agencies in boosting Cebu's outsourcing niche.

"We have to work together and review all aspects on how we can market Cebu better as an IT BPO destination. A concerted effort from all the stakeholders is needed not only to come up with a more comprehensive marketing initiative but to address key issues and concerns of the industry," said CCCI board member Melanie Ng.

Ng believes that Cebu still has a lot of room for improvement to rise even higher.

 "The IT BPO companies will come to Cebu if we are equipped with what they need and can offer a competitive advantage from other destinations," added Ng.

 While it was unfortunate for Cebu to have stopped the strong marketing momentum it started during the early days of the outsourcing phenomenon, Cebu Business Club president Gordon Allan Joseph said that aside from reviving the marketing promotion, infrastructure should simultaneously be fixed.

 "To improve our ranking, we need better infrastructure, better internet access, more highly trained graduates - and less traffic. I don't think any place can achieve a top investment rank without improving the quality of life," Joseph stressed.

 "The 2016 Tholons List is a big marketing tool for Cebu. As of now, we can focus on sustaining the talent pool," said Cebu Educational Development for Information Technology (Cedfit) executive director Jun Sa-a.

New  entrants

Dumaguete City of Negros Island also made it to 2016 Tholons List of Top Outsourcing Destinations.

The outsourcing industry in cities outside of Manila continues to improve as shown in a Tholons report released last week.

 There are now nine Philippine cities on the Tholons list.

 A new entrant, Dumaguete City in Negros, took a big leap this year to land on the 93rd spot in the Tholons list of Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations, according to a report released by the international advisory firm.

Cebu City moved up a notch, from 8th to 7th , dislodging Pune (India) from the position; Manila retained the 2nd spot.

 Up 3 notches onto 66th place is Davao City. Sta. Rosa, Laguna moved a step to 81st and Bacolod. Negros Occidental is up also by a notch to 85th while Iloilo is up 1 notch to 90th from 91st.  Baguio City is up by a notch from 95 to 94th place.  Metro Clark moved up by 1 notch from 98 to 97.

 Cities of India remained dominant on the Top. Bangalore continued to occupy the top spot, followed by Mumbai (No. 3), Delhi (No. 4), Chennai (No. 5),Hyderabad (No. 6), and Pune (No. 8).

 Krakow, Poland is No. 9, and Dublin, Ireland is No. 10.

 Promoting the Business Process Outsourcing industry to countryside stakeholders has been a continuing effort of the Philippine government, the Department of Trade and Industry said, as the agency congratulates the cities included in this year’s Tholons report

 The large supply of competent, college educated, English-speaking labor force as well as the improving infrastructure in the country are some of the main factors behind the BPO growth in the Philippines.

Tholons is a Services Globalization and Investment Advisory firm that engages with government bodies to build compelling strategies for making countries attractive destination for outsourcing.  (with reports from DTI Central Visayas)