THE Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) is pushing for the expansion and diversification of the local ICT industry to improve its number 86 ranking in the top 100 destinations for outsourcing and offshoring in the world for 2015.
The ranking was given by Tholons International, a global firm that engages in consulting, research, education, and investments services for multi-national companies. The ranking for 2015 was seven points better than 2014's 93. In 2010, Bacolod was at the 100th spot.
Other Philippine-based destinations recognized by Tholons in the top 100 are Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Sta. Rosa, Davao, Baguio and Metro Clark.
For Information and Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM), Bacolod had been consistently among the top 10 "Next-Wave Cities" in the Philippines. Two years ago it was elevated to the rank of "Center of Excellence" with Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Clark.
BNEFIT president Jocelle Batapa-Sigue told Sun.Star Bacolod that for this year, the group's goal is anchored on expanding and diversifying the industry portfolio aggressively.
She noted that for the last 10 years, the city and the province have been seriously and deliberately focusing on voice services and it has already successfully clinched the niche in this area.
“We are crossing our fingers for 2016 to level up, if not, at least stay in rank 86,” Batapa-Sigue said, stressing that based on the expert advice, one of the strategies to raise the ranking is by expanding and diversifying the industry portfolio.
“By expansion and diversification, we will be showing the world that aside from voice we can also do other IT and enable services such as healthcare information outsourcing, software development, animation, IT engineering, and many other IT-enabled jobs and opportunities,” Batapa-Sigue said.
To achieve the goal, BNEFIT, with the support of the provincial government, aims to sustain and further develop the creative industry of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, which Batapa-Sigue said is very bullish.
Currently, the Technology Business Operation Center (TBIC) located at the 4th Floor of the Negros First Cyber Centre is accommodating five Negros-based start-up locators.
“Within the year, one of the studios will also develop a game supported by foreign funding,” Batapa-Sigue said, adding that these startups have also helped the province in employment generation.
Other areas the BNEFIT is currently working on are pursuing more IT startups, software development, and introduction of rural impact sourcing (RIS), among other cities and municipalities in the province.