Fresh BPO investments still likely

CEBU, Philippines — Although growth have slowed down a bit, Cebu’s outsourcing sector is still likely to attract fresh BPO investments in the second half of the year.

The sector’s movement however, is still driven by existing companies that are expanding their offices in terms of head count, said Cebu IT BPM.Organization (Cib.O) managing director Wilfredo Sa-a, Jr.

A US-based BPO recently opened its first office in Cebu adding up to the demand for outsourcing specialists in Cebu.

“In terms of new investments, it is not as many as before. What is happening now is the BPOs that are already operating in Cebu are expanding in numbers,” explained Sa-a.

In fact, TeleTech is collaborating with CIB.O for an upcoming Summit that will link the industry with the academe.

Meanwhile, with an industry affected by US government’s strong stance in protectionism, the industry draws its strength by attracting higher value services in 2019 and onwards.

“We are strengthening our capability in providing high skilled manpower as we are moving on attracting the non-voice services,” added Sa-a.

This time, hiring will be more seen in the technology-based job requirements, as well as knowledge-based services like engineers, insurance and finance, legal, healthcare, research and development, particularly in the shared-services sector.

Sa-a is optimistic that Cebu will sustain its grip in the outsourcing sector albeit in the higher value, high paying skills like coding and programming, among others.