Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas is calling on landowners to transform their vacant properties into spaces that can meet the rising demand from business process outsourcing (BPO) firms and other businesses. In a recent statement, Treñas highlighted the urgent need for additional office spaces, which he sees as a sign of incoming new businesses. This development is expected to bring a wave of job opportunities for the local population in 2025.
According to property consultant Leechiu, the demand for office and BPO spaces in Iloilo City has surpassed the available supply, which Treñas described as a positive development for the city. He noted that buildings dedicated to BPO operations in Iloilo City benefit from substantial incentives, such as tax-free operations and exemptions from real property tax (RPT), while BPO companies themselves are not subject to business taxes.
The city government is prepared to designate these properties as Philippine Economic Zone Authority zones, which would offer even more incentives to attract investors and developers. Treñas emphasized that this initiative could lead to numerous opportunities in 2025, enhancing the local economy and improving the quality of life for residents through the creation of stable, high-paying jobs.
Fydah Marie Sabando, head of the Iloilo City Data Assessment and System Management Office (DASMO), reported that approximately 107 BPO companies are currently operating in the city, providing employment to around 45,000 workers. She also mentioned in a previous interview that Iloilo City is home to the largest information technology park in Western Visayas.