Bacolod online communities are buzzing with the news about a study by CyberMedia s Global Services, titled Top 8 Global Outsourcing Cities. The study shortlisted Bacolod City as one of Tier II cities globally which has a potential to be in the Top 50 Global Outsourcing Cities. This is no doubt an affirmation of Bacolod City as the BPO Hub of Western Visayas with major outsourcing companies locating in the city.
The study named six Indian cities, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and the national capital region (NCR), Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune among the Top 8 Global Outsourcing Cities. Completing the list are Dublin in Ireland and Makati City in the Philippines. The study also included Cebu City as one of the Top 50 Global Outsourcing Cities.
The report quoted Global Services editor Ed Nair saying, “The concept of an individual location being a ‘one-stop-shop’ has given way to ‘smart, multi, selective sourcing’ models, wherein selected processes are outsourced only to the most appropriate destination,”
The study says that the choice where to set up an outsourcing center is determined by factors such as quality of workforce and infrastructure. These factors are already present in Bacolod City. Local Universities and Colleges provide highly-skilled, highly-trainable and English proficient graduates. Special economic zones, IT parks and buildings are likewise already established. These are the same factors which make Bacolod City attractive to PBO companies such as Convergys, Teletech, and Teleperformance already employ thousands of Negrenses and are already planning on expanding.
With President Arroyo’s Cyber Corridor initiative, which include Bacolod, and the support of the local government to the BPO industry, investors are assured of a business-friendly environment. Moreover, the competitiveness of Bacolod City is already recognized. The local government has been awarded the 2007 Most Business-Friendly Government Unit in the Philippines. The Bacolod IT Focus Team has been awarded 2007 Most Inspiring Business Support Organization by GoNegosyo and its Bacolod IT Investment Program as Best Public Sector Project in Western Visayas in LGU Category.