Dumaguete City’s information technology industry is set for expansion, particularly in business process outsourcing non-voice sector.
This was disclosed by Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.
There are four call centers in Dumaguete City currently operating — SPI, Qualfon, Teletech, ePldt, and Student Universe.
Du shared that the population of call center agents would reach 6,000 by yearend with a salary range from an entry level of P10,000 to P12,000.
Qualfon is expanding to the Link-Sy IT Park along North Road that spans 1.2 hectares. Other locators are eyed to come in from the business process outsourcing industry, particularly non-voice.
Du said he believes that the IT sector, particularly the call center industry, has almost reached its saturation point. “Dumaguete produces 6,000 college graduates per year. For every 100 applicants, eight to 10 get accepted. We do not want to encourage poaching (pirating) of call center employees. That is not too healthy for the industry and not good for Dumaguete. Investors might find it too expensive once salaries of agents get too high,” he said.
But Du asserts Dumaguete still remains a University Town, with education as its main economic driver. Du. “The presence of four major universities led by Siliman University is the greatest economic driver of Dumaguete’s economy. This University Town has students as its major market, thus the services industry specifically businesses such as motorcycle dealers, restaurants, internet cafes and spa centers are sprouting up.”
Yet there is no denying the contribution of the IT industry on the economy of this Gentle City. More graduates will likely opt to stay in their hometown to search for jobs, do business in or settle. Graduates from neighboring provinces will also be lured to locate in Dumaguete City instead of migrating to the more advances city of Cebu or Metro Manila.
Dumaguete City boasts of accessibility as its greatest plus factor in terms of livability. Its commercial business district is basically centered on five major streets — Rizal Boulevard, Gov. Percides St., Colon St., Real St., and Silliman Ave. — all within walking distance.
Major national developments have pre-empted this increase in residency. Camella, which is part of Vista Land and Lifescapers Inc, the largest homebuilder in the Philippines with over 250,000 houses in 21 provinces in 48 cities and municipalities, recently built the City’s newest premier address — Camella Dumaguete — increasing the pride of place and sense of community for those who wish to make Dumaguete their second home.
Camella Dumaguete is set against a magnificent view of the Negros Oriental Twin Peaks with world-class amenities of Caribbean pine trees, lush gardens, pocket parks, meditation ponds along with a grandiose gate, cctv security system jogging trails, basketball court, children’s playground and Pavilion.
Log on to www.camella.com.ph or visit G/F Plaza Milagros Bldg., Gov. Perdices St. with telephones (035) 421-0911 or 0917-809-3794.
Some of the workforce in the IT and BPO industry have made Dumaguete their second home because of Camella. With its accessibility from their soon to be homes to the workplace and to various commercial establishments within the city it is no doubt that Camella is making housing a dream no more.
Camella is the only developer in the region that offers a competitive package and flexible financing terms that is beneficial to the workers in the BPO industry.
Complementing the homes are the functional amenities and subdivision features that would suit their lifestyle.
