[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 10, 2008
By EDITH B. COLMO
BACOLOD CITY — This city has been ranked within the top 10 of the next wave cities on information technology in the country outside Metro Manila and Cebu.
This was revealed by Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, chairperson on information technology network in Bacolod. She said Bacolod excels in several indicators like score, talent, infrastructure, cost and BERM. The city ranks 5th in all matrices, she said.
According to Sigue, validators based their evaluation as to the availability and accessibility of the areas in terms of transportation, electricity, infrastructure, peace and order, cost which includes labor availability, and information technology facilities.
Since Bacolod has been identified as one of the IT hubs in the country, various IT groups have been organized to maximize its services.
Computer dealers, schools offering IT courses, and IT providers have been organized in their respective categories anchored by the city’s IT Focus Team chaired by Sigue.
Such high IT capability, coupled with a business-friendly and one-stop shop approach of business licensing established by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, have attracted various business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to the city that includes Teletech, Teleperformance, I & O Asia, Convergys, Telequest, and a lot more.
BPOs have greatly met the demand of unemployed citizens here. Ranking Bacolod number five in the top 10 of next wave IT cities outside Metro Manila and Cebu is an indicator that the city is definitely on the rise, according to Sigue.
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