| The Philippines has always been one of the top | | | | population of 3.1 million, which makes it the largest |
| overseas outsourcing companies choices | | | | among the country's 79 provinces. |
| compared to other Asian countries because of its | | | | Additionally, Metro Manila suffers the most polluted |
| world-class English proficiency, affinity for U.S. | | | | air in the country at 66 micrograms of particles |
| culture, highly skilled workforce, strong work ethic, | | | | per cubic meter compared to Cebu City's 45.The |
| consultative and customer service mind-set, | | | | city is also notorious for its traffic jams. A 20 |
| government support & incentives, attractive | | | | minute ride in Cebu will easily go an hour or more |
| location for U.S. expatriates, and its robust | | | | in Manila, predominantly at rush hour. |
| infrastructure. | | | | But why are the call centers in Cebu? |
| Metro Mania is the political and fiscal hub of the | | | | The Thorton study answers that question. Cebu |
| Philippines, and predictably, the country has a | | | | surfaced with top results for the Top 50 |
| Manila-centric economy, receiving a large portion | | | | Emerging Global Outsourcing Cities list.The listing is |
| of the government budget.More than 30% of | | | | an appraisal of Global Outsourcing locations based |
| country’s GDP is made here, making up for | | | | on their capabilities as service delivery centres. |
| almost 50% of the growth in earnings.It's also a | | | | Cebu City got the highest over-all total marks on |
| crowded city, at almost 19,000 persons per | | | | infrastructure, degree & superiority of |
| square kilometre, around 72 times the country's | | | | workers (including academics), risk profile, business |
| average of 260, this gives companies more labour | | | | mechanisms, expenditures, and quality of life. |
| force choices. | | | | There were 17 BPO companies or call centers in |
| So why are overseas companies setting up call | | | | Cebu as of early 2008.The city’s strong |
| centers in Cebu? | | | | points are in key processes such as customer |
| The fact that Manila is the economic and political | | | | service, finance and accounting and HR services. It |
| capital of the Philippines actually serves as a | | | | received top ranking for its high literacy rate |
| disadvantage to the city. Manila’s media | | | | (97%), strong infrastructure and excellent quality |
| image is not appealing to shareholders. Investors | | | | of living which means better workers and lower |
| seeking to avoid the economic and political turmoil | | | | staff turnover. All of factors creates for a |
| that is Manila, set-up their call centers in Cebu. | | | | prosperous location for call centers in Cebu. |
| The government is aware of this and has set up | | | | If the Thorton study wasn’t enough, Cebu |
| a presence in Cebu with the Malacañang Palace | | | | City has been ranked number eight in the list of |
| of Cebu, transferring some of its political power | | | | Top 10 Asian Cities of the Future by Finance |
| outside of Manila.Though Cebu has lesser | | | | Direct Investment (FDI) magazine of the Financial |
| population density in comparison to other major | | | | Times Group. |
| cities, Cebu province, with its 6 cities, has a | | | | |