Robinsons Land to develop 7 BPO sites in 2008
Business World
July 10, 2008
MANILA, Philippines - Robinsons Land Corp. is developing seven business process outsourcing (BPO) and call center sites this year, as it takes advantage of call centers’ expansion into the provinces.
BPO and call center firms are rapidly expanding into the regions due to lower operational costs, a larger manpower pool and lower employee turnover rates.
Most firms and locators want to undertake pioneering efforts in their region of choice.
The relatively lower cost of operations here have also encouraged many firms in the US and Western Europe to outsource their operations to the Philippines, making these sites even more desirable and lucrative, Robinsons said in a statement.
“We are also giving these BPOs an opportunity to undertake pioneering efforts in our sites, a move that is very much encouraged and supported by the local government units that host our malls and office buildings," it added.
Robinsons Land business unit General Manager Henry Yap said they are incorporating office spaces intended for BPOs and call center operators in their shopping mall developments, specifically Robinsons Luisita in Tarlac City, Robinsons Cybergate Cebu between Cebu’s Chong Hua Hospital and Fuente Osmeńa.
Robinsons Cybergate Davao, along J. P. Laurel in the Bajada District, and Robinsons Cybergate Plaza in Mandaluyong City are also under construction and will be ready for occupancy by next year.
These projects are in addition to two recently completed projects in Robinsons Otis in Manila and Cybergate Tower 3 in Mandaluyong City — both now ready for occupancy.
Robinsons Land expects BPO and call center locators to gear their expansion plans towards key regional urban centers. “These areas — Cebu, Davao, Northern Luzon and the Calabarzon areas offer highly skilled human resources from prestigious schools that are highly proficient in English," Mr. Yap said.
Robinsons Land has built BPOs and call centers in Bacolod in Negros Occidental, Lipa in Batangas, Sta. Rosa in Laguna and Cainta in Rizal. In Metro Manila, it has built Robinsons Novaliches and two Cybergate Towers within the Forum Robinsons Complex in Mandaluyong City.
Today, many of the top BPO and call centers firms in the Philippines are located in a Robinsons Land property, the company said.
“Given the limited free time of the agents, having the mall nearby address their needs like hot meals, coffee, wellness and entertainment courtesy of spas, salons and the cinemas, all offering a relaxing alternative after an eight-hour straight shift," Mr. Yap said.
Robinsons Land is planning more buildings in the old Medical City site in Mandaluyong; along Ayala Avenue where a recent joint venture deal was entered into by the company, Security Land and Taganito Mining Corp.; and in Tacloban where a mall is now under construction.
