If you think times are tough, look around Dumaguete City, and you can see business sprouting more than ever. For instance, finding a parking space is a challenge, with all the SUVs and trucks and motorcycles taking up every square inch of space.
This was definitely not the situation 20 ago, but we don’t have to look far to guess why we have become so crowded now.
The spending power of Dumagueteños could be traced to the growth of the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
Over the past two decades, the industry has transformed from a modest enterprise with just 45 employees in 2004, to a robust ecosystem employing over 15,000 workers across more than 30 companies in 2024.
Assuming that every ICT worker earns P15,000 a month (which is a conservative amount), that would mean the ICT workers earn a gross income of P225 million every month. Where do these incomes go? To buy motorcycles, cars, to eat out, buy clothes, take breaks in resorts and bars, etc. Already, finding a place to stay in Dumaguete proves to be a challenge as the ‘boarding houses’, as we call them, are raking it in.
This exponential growth reflects the vast potential of the ICT industry, as highlighted by Suzanne Lu-Bascara, president of the ICT Association of Dumaguete & Negros Oriental.
Several factors contribute to the Province’s success as an ICT hub. Dumaguete, known as a ‘University Town’, produces a steady stream of skilled graduates ready to enter the workforce. Many students secure positions in business process outsourcing (BPO) companies immediately after graduation, while non-graduates also find opportunities within the sector.
Additionally, the City’s relatively peaceful environment and affordable lifestyle attract professionals from other regions, further boosting our talent pool.
The sector’s growth extends beyond traditional employment. Freelancers and remote workers, many of whom cater to international clients, significantly add to the industry’s impact.
Bascara noted that digital technology enables firms and individuals to work from anywhere, as exemplified by an ICT company in Mindanao which employs 35 remote workers based in Dumaguete. This flexibility underscores the sector’s adaptability and appeal.
Indeed, Dumaguete City has the potential to join the ranks of the country’s “Next Wave Cities.” With its talent pool, strategic focus, and promising growth trajectory, Negros Oriental is poised to become a significant player in the national ICT landscape.
