ILOILO City – More business process outsourcing (BPO) companies are coming to this southern city but there are not enough buildings for them.
According to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, he will meet with renowned property consultant David Leechiu and Colliers Philippines, a leading commercial real estate brokerage professional services and investment management company, together with giant property firms such as Ayala Corporation, SM Prime Holdings, Robinson Land Corporation, Florete Land, Uygongco Corp., and Megaworld Corp., among others, to discuss this.
TREÑAS
“We are running out of BPO buildings,” said Treñas.
Last week, he revealed, two BPO companies expressed interest to do business in the city but there were not enough available office spaces for them.
Treñas said even SM’s and Megaworld’s respective ongoing building constructions have already been contracted.
“We need to fast-track or else mabilin naman kita. Kinanglan ma-explain ko sa ila nga amo ni ang kinanglan,” said Treñas.
Some BPO companies have relocated to nearby towns like Pavia, Iloilo.
“Naga-gwa na sa aton. You have to appreciate that bisan didto na sa Pavia, ga-puno pa,” the city mayor added.
Iloilo City has been projected to become the third biggest hub for BPO in the country by 2025.
This is based on the projection of CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, should more infrastructures for BPOs be constructed in the city to attract more players in such industry.
Just this August, CBRE’s country head Jie Espinosa was among those from the business sector who joined What’s Up Western Visayas Conference at Courtyard by Marriot Iloilo – part of the Iloilo Business Week spearheaded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI)-Iloilo Chapter.
“We will overtake some cities,” Treñas earlier said. “Kon mag-sige sige na ang mga projects by 2025 we will be the third biggest BPO (hub) in the Philippines,” said Treñas.
Data from the city government’s Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) showed around 102 BPO companies are doing business in Iloilo City; they are employing over 36,000 individuals.
Treñas also earlier said the city government will continue to help the business sector as it looks forward for a positive “domino effect” in terms of employment opportunities for the Ilonggos.
“Very important ang employment. Every year we have graduates. They will look for employment and kadaku gid sang bulig sang BPO companies sa employment,” he stressed./PN
