The Business Process Outsourcing industry, one of the main engines of growth in Dumaguete City, marks its 10th year this year.
The 20 BPOs, whose businesses include call centers, editing, online teaching, among many others, is estimated to pump in no less than P50 million to the Dumaguete economy every month in payroll money alone.
The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry attributes this contribution of the BPO industry to the rise of the service industry (restaurants, hotels, bars), as well as the increasing number of motorcycle stores, appliance centers and other retail establishments.
Business, for many, is so good that NOCCI President Ed Du said the business community is caught in a dilemma between protecting the interest of existing BPOs in the province or allowing new players to come in.
In a Kapihan forum held at Captain Ribbers Restaurant last week, Du explained that if they allow new BPO investors put up their businesses here, they will be competing with existing BPO companies on hiring the small manpower pool in the province.
Du noted that Negros Oriental produces 4,000 graduates a year and most of them are not enrolled in IT-related courses.
However, the Information and Communications Technology Association of Dumaguete City & Negros Oriental (ICT Dumaguete) is open to the idea of having more call centers or other BPO companies here.
ICT Dumaguete President Suzanne Bascara, who manages SPI Global, said they welcome everyone who wishes to create more jobs here in Dumaguete, since it will contribute to the overall economic growth of the City.
Ava Mojica of TeleTech Dumaguete said that there would be no issue with BPO investors, especially those who have a different type of business or accounts.
On the other hand, other members of the chamber said they should not stop new BPO companies from coming in the province.
Du disclosed that a lot of investors are coming to them to seek help in establishing their companies and for permits and incentives.
Du stressed they are putting a priority to existing call centers and other BPO companies since they know these companies are aggressive in hiring employees.
However, the ICT Dumaguete requests new investors to meet with them before putting up their companies so they can have an understanding about the community here and remind them to observe business ethics.
“The thing we will ask for is a chance to meet with them, to talk to them and have an understanding with them. And we all work towards the development of Dumaguete. Our main goal is to make Dumaguete a great place to live in where people can easily find work and do business,” Bascara said. (PIA/Roi Lomotan)
