DOST-ICTO eyeing next wave cities

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By JEANDIE O. GALOLO

Metro Naga, which include the Municipality of Pili, have been identified as one of the next outsourcing destinations in the country. This is along with the government’s thrust to develop more locations in the country to be considered preferred outsourcing destinations.

Emmy Lou Delfin, ICT industry development program manager, said the Department of Science and Technology-Information Communications Technolgy Office (DOST-ICTO) is grooming other cities, or the “next wave cities” to become part of Tholons Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations. Tholons is a consultancy firm that prepares an annual list that ranks the best cities for outsourcing worldwide.

The next wave cities identified by DOST-ICTO have excluded Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, and Clark in Pampanga, since these are the country’s “centers of excellence” (COEs), having developed a mature ICT-BPM industry.

“Hopefully by the end of the year, we will announce the top 10 next wave cities,” Delfin said. She added that the top 10 cities will be promoted by the government abroad.

The next wave cities will be selected by the DOST-ICTO and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) based on availability of talent, relevant infrastructure, connectivity through fiber optics of telecommunications networks, accessibility, cost of related factor inputs, and the business environment, including vulnerability to natural disturbances and issues related to security and safety.

Aside from Metro Naga, the other places identified in 2014 as the country’s next wave cities include Baguio City, Davao City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Lipa City, Metro Bulacan (Baliuag, Calumpit, Malolos City, Marilao, and Meycauayan City), Metro Cavite (Bacoor City, Dasmariñas City, and Imus City), Metro Laguna (Calamba City, Los Baños, and Sta. Rosa City), and Metro Rizal (Antipolo City, Cainta, and Taytay).