ALBAY HOLDS 2ND ICT CONFRENCE
The last couple of years have seen a dramatic surge in the development of IT industry specifically in the Offshoring & Outsourcing sub-industry. In Albay province, specifically in the City of Legazpi, several IT related companies such as those engaged in data conversion/processing (Business Process Outsourcing), Call Centers and Medical Transcription Companies were established. These companies at present employ more than a thousand workers coming not only from the province of Albay but the entire Bicol Region. More recently, a local investor has applied with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for the development of a private IT Park located in the reclamation area of Legazpi
The developments in the local ICT sector were a result of the local industry stakeholders’ continuous advocacy efforts in promoting Legazpi as a good location for ICT-related investments and projects. Likewise, these efforts have resulted to the recognition of Legazpi City as one of the country’s “Next Wave Cities” or ICT Hubs and the Albay ICT Association, Inc. (AICTA) as the only recognized ICT group from the Bicol Region by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). Through this recognition, Legazpi City has been put in the ICT Map of the country making it in the priority areas for consideration by investors and locators.
Despite these positive developments, the province is still beset by a number of problems particularly in the ICT infrastructure and manpower availability. In one instance, one of the data conversion companies started complaining on the reliability/technical capability of telecommunications service providers that hamper their operations and subsequently affect their output and delivery to their clients abroad.
The ongoing world economic slump brought about by the financial crisis in the US, which happens to be the major market of these BPO companies, has definitely brought a cascading effect to the industry.
In view of the above situation, the local key players/stakeholders in the industry led by the Albay ICT Association, Inc., gathered together last December 10, 2008 for a one day Conference to discuss possible strategies and initiatives to minimize the impact especially to the MSME IT players.
The activity was held at Hotel Casablanca and was participated in by 126 IT players and stakeholders. Hon. Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) was the guest speaker. Industry leaders were invited as resource speakers. Mr. Jojo Uligan, Executive Director of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) presented the State of the Philippine Call Center Industry: Its prospects Amidst the World’s Economic Slowdown” while Ms. Gigi Virata, Information and Research Director of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) discussed the topic: “Next wave cities as Potential Locations for the BPO sub-sector.
Aside from the plenary topics, the activity also served as venue for the local stakeholders particularly the telecom sector, the real state developers and the existing locators to present their capabilities and services being offered. The two pioneering locators, the Content Online Services, Inc. (COSI) and M3 Medical Management Services Group, Inc. also presented their testimonies, experiences and decision for putting up and expanding their facilities in Legazpi. This was done basically to give inspiration to the small BPO companies in the city started up by local entrepreneurs.
Through a workshop, the Provincial ICT Action Plan for 2009 was formulated. The plan was focused on the four components of the ICT Scorecard namely: Talent, Infrastructure, Cost of Doing Business and Business Environment. Particular attention was given to the scorecard especially on the “talent/manpower” component because it serves as the primary basis for prospective locators in considering an area as a possible location for their investments and projects.
The one-day Conference was concluded at the Embarcadero de Legazpi wherein the participants were toured at the on-going construction of the soon to be opened newest tourism destination cum IT Park in the Bicol Region.
The last couple of years have seen a dramatic surge in the development of IT industry specifically in the Offshoring & Outsourcing sub-industry. In Albay province, specifically in the City of Legazpi, several IT related companies such as those engaged in data conversion/processing (Business Process Outsourcing), Call Centers and Medical Transcription Companies were established. These companies at present employ more than a thousand workers coming not only from the province of Albay but the entire Bicol Region. More recently, a local investor has applied with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for the development of a private IT Park located in the reclamation area of Legazpi
The developments in the local ICT sector were a result of the local industry stakeholders’ continuous advocacy efforts in promoting Legazpi as a good location for ICT-related investments and projects. Likewise, these efforts have resulted to the recognition of Legazpi City as one of the country’s “Next Wave Cities” or ICT Hubs and the Albay ICT Association, Inc. (AICTA) as the only recognized ICT group from the Bicol Region by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). Through this recognition, Legazpi City has been put in the ICT Map of the country making it in the priority areas for consideration by investors and locators.
Despite these positive developments, the province is still beset by a number of problems particularly in the ICT infrastructure and manpower availability. In one instance, one of the data conversion companies started complaining on the reliability/technical capability of telecommunications service providers that hamper their operations and subsequently affect their output and delivery to their clients abroad.
The ongoing world economic slump brought about by the financial crisis in the US, which happens to be the major market of these BPO companies, has definitely brought a cascading effect to the industry.
In view of the above situation, the local key players/stakeholders in the industry led by the Albay ICT Association, Inc., gathered together last December 10, 2008 for a one day Conference to discuss possible strategies and initiatives to minimize the impact especially to the MSME IT players.
The activity was held at Hotel Casablanca and was participated in by 126 IT players and stakeholders. Hon. Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) was the guest speaker. Industry leaders were invited as resource speakers. Mr. Jojo Uligan, Executive Director of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) presented the State of the Philippine Call Center Industry: Its prospects Amidst the World’s Economic Slowdown” while Ms. Gigi Virata, Information and Research Director of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) discussed the topic: “Next wave cities as Potential Locations for the BPO sub-sector.
Aside from the plenary topics, the activity also served as venue for the local stakeholders particularly the telecom sector, the real state developers and the existing locators to present their capabilities and services being offered. The two pioneering locators, the Content Online Services, Inc. (COSI) and M3 Medical Management Services Group, Inc. also presented their testimonies, experiences and decision for putting up and expanding their facilities in Legazpi. This was done basically to give inspiration to the small BPO companies in the city started up by local entrepreneurs.
Through a workshop, the Provincial ICT Action Plan for 2009 was formulated. The plan was focused on the four components of the ICT Scorecard namely: Talent, Infrastructure, Cost of Doing Business and Business Environment. Particular attention was given to the scorecard especially on the “talent/manpower” component because it serves as the primary basis for prospective locators in considering an area as a possible location for their investments and projects.
The one-day Conference was concluded at the Embarcadero de Legazpi wherein the participants were toured at the on-going construction of the soon to be opened newest tourism destination cum IT Park in the Bicol Region.
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