MANILA, Philippines – In a collaboration aimed at fostering economic growth and creating employment opportunities in Batangas, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, the Philippines’ leading developer and operator of smart and sustainable industrial-anchored mixed-use estates, joined forces with the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to encourage the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector to invest in Batangas, gaining access to top talent and fiscal incentives. 

The Infrastructure Series, conducted in partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Provincial Government of Batangas, aligns with the aspirations of the Philippine IT-BPM Roadmap 2028. This strategic roadmap aims to transform the Philippines into the leading hub for digitally-enabled and customer-centric services. By 2028, the industry is set to generate US$59 billion in revenue and foster the creation of 1.1 million direct jobs. Notably, a key focus of this endeavor is to create 54% of these jobs from the countryside, thereby uplifting local communities and fostering inclusive growth.

“Our endeavors with Aboitiz InfraCapital and PEZA are a huge step towards advancing the IT-BPM sector beyond Metro Manila. We encourage more industry players to consider Batangas in their expansion plans because of its huge potential to be another thriving IT-BPM regional hub,” said IBPAP Chief Policy and Regulatory Affairs Officer Celeste B. Ilagan. 

The event hosted at LIMA Estate showcased the vast potential of Batangas as a center for IT-BPM. As Cosette Canilao, Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO, pointed out, businesses opting to establish themselves in Batangas can look forward to a myriad of benefits, including access to a highly skilled talent pool, robust infrastructure, strategic proximity to the metro, and attractive incentives, ultimately offering an “integrated suite of growth enablers.”

Advantages of locating in Batangas

In his presentation, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga delved into the advantages of locating in the ecozones in the countryside, stating, “Provincial regions offer a lower cost of living and doing business, along with a better package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.” Panga also highlighted that Batangas, which ranks 9th among the Philippines’ growth centers and boasts an impressive literacy rate of 96.5%, has access to mega power plants, international ports, top-notch schools, and world-class tourism facilities.

With a total labor force of over 1 million, Batangas is at par with other prominent provincial locations like Iloilo in terms of its talent pool. Philip Anonuevo, Executive Director at Leechiu Property Consultants, emphasized, “Although the Batangas labor pool is significant in size, it remains relatively untapped due to a lack of master planned business districts. This presents a great opportunity for companies to recruit fully qualified talent suitable for all types of business processes.”

Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, underlined their commitment to nurturing talent to boost IT-BPM growth in Batangas. He explained, “We are actively collaborating with Batangas’ extensive higher education network, and we’re fortunate to have 72 higher education institutions in Batangas. Our partnerships are geared towards enhancing students’ educational journeys by bridging the gap between theory and practical application.” Through this initiative, students are empowered with opportunities for skill enhancement, including hands-on practicums, job fairs, joint research, specialized training, and curriculum development contributions.

Trends in the BPO market

The Infrastructure Series delved into the latest BPO market trends in the country. Anonuevo revealed that 70% of Metro Manila’s workforce and 90% in provincial areas will return to the office. This underscores the potential of LIMA Tower One, the first of the seven office buildings in LIMA Central Business District set to launch by the 1st quarter of 2024. With the rise of hybrid work, a shift from work-from-home to work-near-home is evident. Creating nearby satellite offices, exemplified by LIMA Tower One, are essential to meet this growing trend. Additionally, for residents living farther from LIMA Estate, various housing options within the estate are complemented by a convenient intra-LIMA Estate transportation  system.

Moreover, Panga emphasized the Philippines’ ranking as the 12th most attractive offshore activity location out of 78 countries, along with its significant contribution to the global IT talent pool. This positions the country to potentially become the next global ICT hub.

“To sustain the growth of the IT-BPM industry, we require a steady supply of talent, thriving ecosystems, and the seamless integration of smart technologies, sustainable practices, and strategic partnerships,” said Fernandez de Mesa.

In collaboration with IBPAP, PEZA, and the Batangas government, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates is spearheading an initiative to establish Batangas as a thriving IT-BPM hub. This effort not only enhances the region’s prospects but also fuels the expansion of the IT-BPM sector in the countryside. Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates invites other industry players to join in this collective effort, transforming Batangas into a bustling IT-BPM regional center of excellence.

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