DAVAO and Iloilo cities are among the 30 places from all over the world that policymakers and investors should watch out for as the next potential sites for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.

Davao and Iloilo are the only Philippine cities listed under the item "cities that could steal your job" of the Business Week.

Described as home to an English-speaking talent pool with many cultural ties to the United States (US), Davao City has been cited to be well suited for US consumer support, particularly in technological areas, due to various information technology (IT) colleges established in the city.

In the article written by Mark Scott, he said the "classic destinations such as Bangalore (India) aren't as cheap as they used to be and that competition there among foreign firms has pushed up local costs, and staff turnover is high as well-trained employees jump to rivals."

With the high costs of traditional areas of operation of BPO's, it has allowed the entry of new hotspots for the BPO industry, which included Davao City.

The complete list is: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Campinas, Brazil; Curitiba, Brazil; Calgary, Canada; Winnipeg, Canada; Santiago, Chile; Guadalajara, Mexico; Queretaro, Mexico; Boise, Idaho, USA; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Sofia, Bulgaria; Zagreb, Croatia; Cairo, Egypt; Belfast, United Kingdom; Port Louis, Mauritius; Gdansk, Poland; Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Rostov-on-don, Russia; Belgrade, Serbia; Tunis, Tunisia; Lviv, Ukraine; Brisbane, Australia; Jaipur, India; Changsha, China; Hangzhou, China; Ahmedabad, India; Nagpur, India; Penang, Malaysia; Davao City, Philippines; Iloilo City, Philippines; and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Article from Sun Star Davao

THE business sector of Davao City has already put up measures against the dreaded influenza A (H1N1) virus.

But the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) maintained the effects of the virus have been very minimal on the business front.

"We have seen that the strain of the virus in the country is not as fatal as that in other countries. The virus can be managed, and the level of fear is low," Simeon Marfori, DCCCII president, said in an interview, citing the business-as-usual attitude of Dabawenyos.

Marfori said that they have constantly reminded their members on precautionary measures in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

"Measures are already in place," Marfori assured.

The city's premier hotel and shopping center, in fact, has put up measures of their own in order to avoid the spread of the virus, although no confirmed case has been reported in Davao City.

Marco Polo Davao, for its part, has placed hand sanitizers that are dispensed by sensors in strategic locations of the hotel, especially in the lobby area. Places of convergence within the hotel are also disinfected from time to time.

SM City Davao, on the other hand, has taken it further by placing footbaths in all entry and exit points of the shopping center.

Frequently touched surfaces within the mall are also disinfected every three hours, while soap and sanitizers have also been placed in the mall's comfort rooms.

Mall officials have also ensured that there is an efficient and proper circulation of fresh air inside the mall with the use of fresh air fans.

SM City Davao's measures will have a highlight on June 24 with their handwashing event.

"There should be a comprehensive approach on the fight against A (H1N1)," Marfori said. "The matter is a concern of both the public and private sectors."

Although no case has been reported in Davao City and in Southern Mindanao, confirmed cases in the country have already breached the 100 mark.(CPM)

Article from Sun Star Davao