Despite facing global economic headwinds, the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry in Cebu is demonstrating remarkable resilience and continues to attract major multinational corporations. Industry leaders credit this sustained growth to the province's reliable stream of skilled professionals and its proven ability to maintain operations without significant disruption.
Stability and Talent as Key Magnets
Aseem Roy, the president of the Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O), confirmed that the province remains a prime target for global giants. He specifically named companies like Amazon and JP Morgan, which are either expanding or solidifying their presence in the Philippines as part of wider diversification strategies. Roy, who also holds a senior position at Wipro Philippines, made a bold statement regarding the sector's stability.
"Despite all the disruptions you see on TV, we can boldly say our services remain uninterrupted," Roy asserted. He highlighted that even during periods of geopolitical and economic volatility, Cebu has successfully avoided large-scale operational downtime, enabling client companies to enjoy consistent and reliable output.
Cebu's Competitive Edge: A Robust Talent Pipeline
According to Roy, the most significant advantage for Cebu is its strong and steady supply of talent. He pointed to the presence of some of the country's top universities in the region as a critical factor. "That means a constant replenishment of highly skilled talent — technically strong, fluent in English and capable of supporting both traditional and high-value services," he explained.
This high level of English proficiency continues to be a defining characteristic that sets Cebu apart from other emerging outsourcing destinations worldwide. The national IT-BPM industry has been growing at an impressive rate of approximately eight percent annually, and Roy noted that Cebu is closely following this positive trajectory, describing it as active, resilient, and highly competitive.
Positioned for Long-Term Strategic Growth
Looking ahead, CIB.O anticipates that Cebu will keep drawing foreign investors who are searching for cost-efficient and skill-rich locations outside of Metro Manila. The province is particularly attractive for specialized services such as digital services, quality assurance and testing, fintech support, and customer experience operations.
Roy concluded with a forward-looking perspective, stating, "With global firms recalibrating their strategies, Cebu is positioned not just as an alternative hub, but as a strategic site in their long-term expansion plans." This solidifies Cebu's role not merely as a backup option, but as a core component in the global investment landscape.
