During a press briefing held yesterday, the Department of Science and Technology – Information and Communication Tecnology Office (DOST-ICT), together with the IT and Business Process Outsource Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC), have name ten ‘Next Wave Cities (NWCs) that were deemed as suitable places to expand business process outsource (BPO) companies outside of Metro Manila.
These various organizations have looked into a total of 42 different locations around the archipelago. They’ve came with their own score card that would help them rank these places based on its business environment, presence of infrastructure, cost competitiveness, and availability of talent.
Out of the 42 locations that were evaluated, 10 cities has been recognized by these organizations for having the ability to “enable and support the entry and growth of IT-BPM companies”. The next wave cities include Cagayan De Oro, Dagupan, Dasmariñas, Dumaguete, Lipa, Malolos, Naga, Sta. Rosa in Laguna and Taytay in Rizal.
In addition to the 10 next wave cities, DOST-ICTO, IBPAP, and LPC have acknowledged ten suitable locations where IT-BPM companies can expand to in the near future. Dubbed as emerging locations, the list of viable sites include Balanga City, Batangas City, Iriga City, Laoag City, Legazpi City, Puerto Princesa City, Roxas City, Tarlac City, Tuguegarao City and Zamboanga City.
According to IBPAP President and CEO Jomari Mercado, the list is aimed at simplifying the process for prospective IT-BPM companies who are looking for suitable locations to expand its business outside of Metro Manila. “They don’t have to do the work, we’ve done the work for them”, he added.