Cebu City (May 27) -- Government is banking on the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector to continue providing employment in the face of the global economic slump where at least 50,000 jobs are available annually.

Amid the worldwide financial malaise, the BPO sector continues to grow in the country as the Arroyo Administration reported that today there are 400,000 BPO workers compared in 2001 when Pres. Arroyo first assumed office where employees in the BPO sector only totaled 4,000, a tremendous hike of 10,000 percent in employment rate in eight years or an average annual increase of 1,250 percent or 50,000 additional jobs yearly.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has acknowledged the enormous contribution of the BPO industry specifically the growing call centers to her administration's thrust to create jobs at a time when the world is confronted with one of the worst global economic crisis in modern history.

With job cuts one of the drastic consequences amid the global economic slowdown, Pres. Arroyo has identified the BPO and E-services as key drivers of the nation's economy as they generate investment and jobs contributing to poverty reduction and improving quality of life.

Recognizing the potential of the BPO in driving the economy around even in her early years in office, Pres. Arroyo focused on building the physical infrastructure to speed up the telecommunications network infra by bringing the cost of connectivity. Local government units especially in growth areas are encouraged in putting up broadband services aimed at basically attracting BPOs to come to the country.

The creation of the Commission on Information Communication Technology (ICT) to lead the ICT policy formation and implementation provides the appropriate policy and legal environment conducive to BPO investments. The CICT functions include harmonizing and coordinating all public ICT initiatives.

Pres. Arroyo also made sure that beyond building the appropriate environment for BPOs, development of human capital to provide world-class workers needed by the industry is a must. The Philippines is one of the highest among the various countries in the number of training facilities for computer programming and other computer-related courses.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is likewise closely working with the Business Process Association of the Philippines or BPAP on training courses on BPO to further enhance English proficiency to help near-hires develop the skills needed to qualify for employment.

The Philippines is ranked among the most attractive off-shoring destinations in the world because of cost competitiveness and more importantly the country's highly trainable, English-proficient, IT-enabled quality manpower, Pres. Arroyo proudly stressed.

Cebu on the other hand, has emerged as the top emerging BPO destination for global business outsourcing operations; this is contained in media published reports in October last year. In 2007, Cebu ranked fourth after three cities in India and has grabbed the top slot now beating the cities of Shanghai and Beijing.

As of last quarter in 2008, Metro Cebu has listed 22 existing call centers employing over 20,000 employees. Some of the big names are Accenture, ACS, Convergys, eTelecare, Teletech, People-Support and Wipro. A total of 36 other BPOs, focusing on the non-voice business, also operate here. Non-voice operations refer to engineering design, content development, graphics/animation, software development, medical transcription, this is learned.

Though the US has been badly hit by the global financial meltdown, American call centers based in Cebu City have not been that affected, according to May Bulala, a call center agent of Convergys Cebu.

Bulala said their company, a US firm, said they are always for more qualified workers to work in Convergys.

Convergys is the largest BPO provider in Cebu City with over 3,300 employees throughout three contact center facilities.