68TH ARAW NG DABAW SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Davao City: the ICThub of the South
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza

 

AS the ICT world strides on, Davao City strides with it. Yes, this southern city is not far behind when it comes to this modern sector that the whole world is gaga about. In fact, a number of its IT specialists have carved a name for themselves in the world, although, because contracts are usually executed and delivered online, there isn't much fanfare attached to this. But they're there all right.

In September last year, the foremost call center -- Cyber City (owned by the United States-based company, G-Com Ltd.) -- in the island was inaugurated by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The call center is located in Sobrecarey, Barrio Obrero.

By the end of March this year, a total of 140 additional seats would be opened up. This means that a larger number of market is yet to unveil for the city.

Since its birth, a lot of Dabawenyos were given the chance to work there as e-reps or call center representatives.

A few months after its emergence, a number of companies started to express their interest over investing in the city in the same field.

Two to three months ago, a small call center in Matina started its operations. Davao City's potentials to be an ICT hub Andre J.T. Fournier, ICT Council of Davao City president, said the major strength that Dabawenyos should be happy about is the high passing rate of the city's call center applicants.

Fournier added that based on surveys, it has been noted that when a Dabawenyo applies for an e-rep job, his acceptance rate is higher than those applicants from other areas of the country.

"Malambot kasi ang dila ng mga Dabawenyo. It's not hard to teach them how to speak English with an accent. They are fast learners talaga. Our selling point is really our strong human resources," he said.

Based on the latest report, only five percent of the total number of applicants from Manila are able to make it in the call center field, 15 percent from Cebu, and 30 to 40 percent from Davao-based applicants.

"It's quite high. Davao City, as one of the biggest university areas in Mindanao, could make use of this opportunity," he said.

Aside from the quality e-reps that the city is producing right now, Fournier cited other major factors which could drive businessmen in deciding to pour in their investments here. Among these factors are: economical real estate rates; and close ties between the local government and business sector.

"In a study which we have conducted just recently, it shows that investors would have around 20 percent savings as compared from putting up a call center in Metro Manila. Mura kasi naman talaga dito sa Davao," he said.

Rocked anew

Before the latest bombing rocked Davao City on February 14, the status of the city's information and communications technology (ICT) was doing great. Around three to four companies were seriously interested about operating their call centers in the city.

Fournier said with the bombing, investors' trust of infusing their capitals here has been put on a"watch and wait" situation.

"With the bombing, affected talaga ang ICT industry ng Davao City. Whether we like it or not, talagang nagkaroon na ng alinlangan ang investors. Basically, nagkaroon ng apprehension sa security aspect. May second thought na with regards coming over to the city," he said.

To date, Fournier said, they have not yet received any updates about the status of the companies plans.

The industry's major problem

The fact that Mindanao is regarded as a region-of-conflict, Fournier said, the main problem of marketing the island-region to investors from other areas has been resulted from this.

"Since Davao City is part of Mindanao and Mindanao is perceived as a risk factor, medyo nagkakaproblema din tayo tungkol sa security issues," he said. When the V-day bombing issue subsides, Fournier said, more marketing activities would be made by the ICT stakeholders to revive the city's ICT industry - one of Davao City's pride.