"Cebu can take in more BPO providers. The province has all the attributes needed by BPO providers — a business-friendly local policy environment, extensive infrastructure, efficient connectivity and adequate human resources," Gullas said.

Gullas, a former provincial governor, also said that with highly competitive office rent and wages, doing business in Cebu is more cost-effective compared to Metro Manila.

"Cebu is the center of higher learning in Visayas and Mindanao. We produce thousands of English speaking, high work ethic, computer literate and Internet savvy college graduates each year," Gullas pointed out.

At present, Gullas lamented that over 80 percent of BPO providers operating in the country are based in Metro Manila.

Cebu now hosts 12 call centers, including those operated by US-based global BPO providers Convergys Corp., Sykes Enterprises Inc., eTelecare Global Solutions Inc. and PeopleSupport Inc.

Convergys Cebu call center is in Banawa, Cebu City, while Sykes is in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

The Cebu call centers of eTelecare and PeopleSupport are both at the Ayala Corp.-owned, 24-hectare Asiatown IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City.

Apart from their four call centers in Cebu, the four global BPO providers combined also operate 14 call centers in Metro Manila.

Gullas, meanwhile, urged the Central Visayas Regional Development Council and the Commission on Higher Education to draw up a plan to further hone Cebus competitive edge as an outsourcing hub.

"Going forward, we have to reinforce the skill sets of our college graduates, for them to readily qualify for more IT-enabled service jobs. For instance, we may have to identify and invigorate two or three local universities as potential centers for English mastery and engineering proficiency," Gullas said.

He also prodded the RDC to help identify more buildings in Cebu that may qualify for IT zone status.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority recently lowered from 5,000 to 2,000 square meters the minimum floor size of a building outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu that may seek IT zone status.

IT zone locators enjoy income tax holidays, taxfree capital equipment importation, exemption from local governments imposts, simplified customs procedure and permanent residency for foreign investors, among other perks.