Cebu needs to double efforts to sustain Tholons ranking

CEBU, Philippines - While Cebu is trying to sustain or move up its ranking as top nine emerged Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) destination in the world, it is closely monitoring its competitors that may take its place—if necessary actions will not be addressed seriously. This move follows after global outsourcing and investments advisory firm Tholons released its latest survey on the top 100 BPO destinations in the world recently, identifying Cebu as top nine in the rank, sustaining its position from the previous year.

Cebu Investment and Promotions Center (CIPC) managing director Joel Mari S. Yu said that if Cebu will not work double or triple time in holding on to its position, or better move up to the higher level, its position may be snatched by emerging cities in the world.

In Southeast Asia, only two cities managed to enter the “elusive” top 10 ranking, both are from the Philippines--- Manila (4th) and Cebu City in the 9th place.

Cebu City is closely followed by Shanghai (China) in the 10th place, and Krakow (Poland) in the 11th place.

Yu said Cebu will have to watch out closely on the cities that are considered as “threat” to Cebu’s position—what they are doing, and how are they preparing to achieve in the highest ranking in the next few years.

Based on the latest Tholons ranking report on top 100 Outsourcing destinations in the world, Bangalore (India) still holds the number one position, followed by Mumbai (India), and New Delhi (India) in the third rank.

If Cebu will not be able to expand its economy, in terms of consumption, and providing enough manpower supply for the interested outsourcing investors, Yu is apprehensive that it will be stuck in the same position, or worse be moved down in the rank.

According to Yu, Cebu’s infrastructure and support for the outsourcing industry is already competitive, however, it is still too small for an economy, compared to other competing cities in the ranking list.

“We can get dislodged not because of our capability but other better place may come in, or other countries may have worked hard and provide better destination and ample number of manpower,” said Yu.

Yu said Cebu has hit the 70 thousand manpower count in the BPO sector here. Companies are needing at least 100 thousand people more.

“We will lose it [being one of the top 10 BPO destinations in the world], because of our numbers. We are too small an economy. We should make Visayas and Mindanao our recruitment ground,” Yu said.

Aside from strengthening the existing programs of Cebu to provide qualified graduates specially for the Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) investors, Yu said Cebu will make the entire Visayas and Mindanao its recruitment ground, and aims at getting at least 100 thousand new employees for BPO sector in the next two years.

If only, Cebu will be able to provide ample manpower supply, no doubt it can achieve the highest ranking in the Tholons survey in the next few years.

In an earlier interview with Tholons managing director for South East Asia Jonathan Defensor De Luzuriaga, he said that there is a need for Cebu to find out its real niche in the BPO industry, thus a scientific study must be done.

“Cebu needs direction in hitting the growing BPO market. I am surprised of the jobs done here in BPO sector, not only in voice, but in more complex jobs like animation, graphic design, hardware and software development,” Luzuriaga said. (FREEMAN)