There are five possible call center sites outside the National Capital Region as revealed in a recent study conducted by the Contact Center Federation of the Philippines, an international property consultancy firm.

The firm stated Clark Special Economic Zone, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), CALABARZON (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), Metro Cebu and Metro Davao as the potential location for call centers.

Economists and businessmen have already informed the President that 4,000 jobs are still available in call centers. The government will assist the infrastructure development and expansion of call centers through the Board of Investments as this will help boost the local economy.

The government has designated the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to ensure the growth of the call center industry. TESDA will provide quality and efficient educational and skills development while PEZA will give tax exemptions to call center companies that will setup its office in the IT economic zones mentioned above.

In earlier statements, general manager for Account Management and Public Affairs of Customer Contact Center, Inc. Jan Bengzon expressed her appreciation over the government�s move. �We commend the government for having confidence in the call center industry and for taking steps to promote it as a major player in the world market that delivers high quality services.� She further stated, �This type of teamwork, the pooled resources of the government and the concerned organizations would definitely put the Philippines in the global map as Contact Center hub.�

The country presently hosts about 40 call centers. These call centers are situated mostly in NCR because of the support property development facilities, power and telecommunication facilities, and peace and order security among others.

About the Author

Leah Lapastora currently serves the University of Rizal System Antipolo City as Instructor I. She previously worked as segment producer for IBC Channel 13 and wrote several feature articles for Manila Bulletin. Like her other budding journalist-friends and classmates, she also shares their dream to agitate the public to participate in public affairs that would eventually change the course of society for the better. (ehem, ehem!)