Negros Occidental to convert prime land into BPO hub

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, PHILIPPINES — The provincial government of Negros Occidental plans to turn its prime 7,000 square meter (sq.m.) property in Bacolod City into a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center through a public-private partnership (PPP).
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said this PPP project could generate income for various provincial development programs.
Lacosn added that the future BPO center could be a new source of revenue for the province as its location makes the site suitable for commercial development via PPP.
The vacant lot was previously occupied by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). The provincial government tried to sell the property through bidding but failed to meet the minimum price.
Nearby lands inhabited by the Philippine Veterans Bank and a Women’s Center are also in the process of being recovered by the local government.
Bacolod is currently seen as an attractive and business-friendly hub for global BPO firms in the Philippines. During the Bacolod IT-BPM Conference and Expo, Mayor Alfredo Benitez said that they are looking to find more ways to expand the sector — particularly in employment — as it is the top economic driver in the city.
Last year, the Megaworld Corporation also announced its plans to develop an upscale “live-work-play” township in Bacolod featuring BPO office towers.