Many BPOs are looking at the provinces at this time that these companies are aiming for expansion. Real properties here are also being readied as most of these companies want to come and start the business thus their required of "plug and play".  Big malls had allocated spaces for these investors and in fact these two US-run BPOs already picked an area that would satisfy their requirements.  These are some of the new developments here even as many are excited of their coming as it would mean job opportunities, economic growth and vibrant business climate. Here's a story of Davao City opening doors to new investors ...

Two US-run BPOs locating in Davao City‏

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 14 (PNA) -- Two U.S.-run Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) companies are locating in Davao City, according to an Ayala Land executive.

Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Land head of Operations and Support Services Commercial Business Group, confirmed that the two BPOs are locating at Abreeza Mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, this city.

But Tomeldan did not give details and the identities of the companies but said the investors are locating either end of 2012 or first quarter of 2013.

Abreeza Mall has available BPO office space of 9,000 square meters, she said.

Tomeldan said the nature of their development is mix use that is why Abreeza goes with a Mall, BPO, a condominium, a hotel and a lot more.

She said Ayala Land's objective of locating here is to "bring the best in Davao and give the best to Dabawenyos".

"We are misinterpreted as high-end market," she said but clarified that they offer a good mix of affordable and premium products to consumers.

Tomeldan said they use research and study to achieve their goal and know their market even as they provide opportunities to Manila-based investors and make available the property to local home-grown entrepreneurs as well.

"And we want them to grow with us," she said.

She said these home-grown traders could be anchors for tourists or foreign shoppers in promoting the products of Davao and the crafts, culture and tradition of the locals.

Alongside with the BPO, she announced the opening of their 180-room hotel, the Kukon, on the first quarter of 2013.

She said they want Abreeza to be a landmark in Davao and the second home to Dabawenyos.

Meanwhile, she said their Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City will open in October, another project in partnership with Anflocor.

Tomeldan said the Mindanao market continues to grow and there is always room for growth and possible expansion in the future.

To date, she said Ayala Land has a total of 22 new development projects across the country. (PNA) LAM/DDB/ldp/utb

Eco stimulus fund safe area to invest, says SSS

Eco stimulus fund is safearea to invest says Neri President and Chief Executive Officer Romulo L. Neri of the Social Security System explains to the Davao media on Thursday that SSS will only engage in safe investment like the proposed P300-billion economic stimulus fund.

Neri said they are looking at this scheme because they will be lending under sovereign guarantee even as he said that it would be purely an investment which is expected to earn reasonable yield based on benchmark rates.

SSS he said eyes an investment of about P12 billion or one-fourth of the government financial institutions' share of infrastructure projects or less than five percent of the total assets of SSS. Under the Social Security Law, the SSS can finance domestic infrastructure projects provided that the investment shall be guaranteed by the Philippine government.

SSS will invest 30 percent of their funds to infrastructure and 40 percent on government securities. And all are invested in the Philippines and nothing on foreign exposure. SSS also maintains a solid balance sheet, he said.

The proposed investment still has to be finalized he said and the other financial institutions namely the Government Insurance System, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines will come in for as long as the investment is sound.He said participating on this investment would create jobs which could probably help those would be affected SSS members because of the financial crisis.