Tom admits BPO pitch an ‘early campaigning’

One building for the Call Center City will be constructed after the May 2019 elections, according to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

This was his “campaign promise” to business process outsourcing (BPO) executives who attended the site visit yesterday at the 60-hectare Pond A at the South Road Properties where the Call Center City is proposed to be constructed.

“We will build one (building) after the elections. There will be 150,000 call center agents that will be accommodated. This is bigger than the Cebu Business Park and IT Park combined,” the mayor told the BPO representatives yesterday.

One representative asked the mayor if the project would push through even if there will be problems or obstructions from the City Council.

Osmeña answered that he needs the support of the call center agents for him to push through with his projects.

The mayor, in jest, told the BPO executives that they should tell the call center agents to register in Cebu City, adding that there are about 30 percent of the thousands of agents that are not from Cebu City.

When asked if he was indeed campaigning, Osmeña admitted and said that it is a big project that needs the support of everyone.

“Yes, it’s early campaigning uy. I promise you to give jobs. Not only I will give jobs to you, I will make you rich. And you don’t have to work in Singapore. You just have to stay in Cebu,” he told reporters.

Osmeña said the city will continuously finish the consultations with the agents as to the design, master plan development, and the facilities that will be included in the Call Center City.

The Call Center City is a one-stop shop for outsourcing where all amenities like a dormitory, offices for call center, facilities for education, gym, restaurants, among others, will be offered to the agents.

“It’s a big project. This project is even bigger than the SRP. It’s going to be bigger than Cebu Business Park. And it’s designed to help the millennials and the ones working for the call centers. It’s going to improve the education of our people,” the mayor said.

Osmeña expressed his happiness after several investors and BPO companies wanted to be part of the city’s project wherein the 60-hectare lot will be leased to them for free for years.

Asked about the activities after yesterday’s site visit, the mayor said he will not divulge it because his enemies might destroy his plans and projects.

Loujoe Cainday, regional management for recruitment of Callcentric, appreciated the attention that Osmeña is giving to the industry.

“Maayo kaayo nga plano. It’s a very realistic plan and so far pinakamaayo nga plan for BPO,” he told reporters.

Osmeña said the ground breaking will also be after the elections.

Sought for comment, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said there’s nothing wrong with early campaigning.

“Of course, nobody can prevent him from campaigning. We are in a democratic country. Let him do it,” he said, adding that he is not threatened on the development.

Labella, however, said there is no decision yet as to the opposition group that will be the standard bearer and will run against Osmeña in next year’s elections.

Labella and former mayor Michael Rama both expressed interest to run for mayor next year.

Both leaders also revealed that only one of them should run against Osmeña. —