Outsourcing to Metro Manila: A comprehensive guide

Why should you outsource to Metro Manila?

Outsourcing to Metro Manila gives you a large, skilled, English-speaking workforce, mature BPO providers, and strong business districts, all at a lower cost than most Western hubs.

• The metro is the birthplace of Philippine outsourcing and home to top BPOs.
• It offers a young, educated, English-speaking talent pool.
• Its business districts and infrastructure keep improving each year.

The Philippine outsourcing industry is one of the world’s largest, next to India. Today, outsourcing to Metro Manila gives clients value-added work and a skilled workforce. Over the decades, the capital has showcased Filipino talent through offshore services.

So Metro Manila remains one of the top outsourcing cities in the country. It stands out for its wide offerings and reliability. This guide explains what happens when companies outsource to Metro Manila, and why it works so well.

Metro Manila’s contribution to Philippine outsourcing

Metro Manila has driven much of the country’s outsourcing growth. As the birthplace of the industry, it became the base for many BPO firms. For example, eTelecare Global Solutions opened the country’s first call center in 2000. Since then, many BPOs have grown and spread to other cities and provinces.

Along with Cebu, Metro Manila climbed the Tholons rankings over the years. It moved up steadily and reached 3rd in 2013. As a result, the inclusion of several cities boosted the country’s global outsourcing name.

Even with the rise of Next Wave Cities, companies still favor Metro Manila. In fact, it has joined Jones Lang LaSalle’s Global Top 30 hubs for property activity, thanks to strong office demand.

Outsourcing in Metro Manila keeps thriving across both remote and onsite setups. Eastwood City in Quezon City became a top choice for flexible operations. Meanwhile, the metro keeps embracing new trends like hybrid work. In addition, the country is now popular for virtual assistants, many with deep industry backgrounds.

How Metro Manila fares as an outsourcing destination

More companies now explore other Philippine cities for lower costs. However, Metro Manila still fares well. It offers a strong business climate, wide popularity, and easy global access. So let us look at what makes it a solid choice.

Metro Manila statistics

• Region: National Capital Region (NCR)
• Population: about 14.4 million
• Regional employment rate: around 93%
• Literacy rate: over 99%
• Local BPO organization: BPO Services Association (BSA/U)

Central business districts

Metro Manila has many central business districts (CBDs). Located in urban centers, they are hotbeds for local and foreign firms. So here are some of the most popular ones.

Ortigas Center

Ortigas Center spans three cities: Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, and Pasig City. It is one of the metro’s key business districts. It began as a financial center in the 1960s. For example, it housed the Benpres and Meralco buildings, while the Tektite Tower held the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) trading floors. Today, it is a mini-city with more than 100 hectares of homes, offices, and tech zones.

Makati CBD

Makati CBD has been the country’s top business district since the 1950s. It houses 40% of the top 1,000 local and global firms, around 400 banks, and over 1,000 BPOs. In addition, it blends homes, offices, and entertainment for a full urban experience. It also hosts some of the country’s most prestigious schools.

Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

Once a military base, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) now thrives as a financial and commercial center in Taguig City. Ayala Land helped develop it. So it mixes homes, offices, parks, and leisure spots. It is also easy to reach, bordered by two major roads: EDSA and C5. As a result, it appeals to young professionals and entrepreneurs.

Triangle Park

Located in Quezon City, Triangle Park is a fast-growing 250-hectare district. It sits alongside Eastwood City in Libis and Araneta City in Cubao. In addition, it links prime business spots from the North and East Triangle to major TV networks and government offices. It is also set to become a transport hub with the new Grand Central Station.

Filinvest City

Filinvest City sits in Alabang, Muntinlupa, in the south of the metro. Unlike most CBDs, it is a green business district. So it features walkable streets, green spaces, and eco-friendly zones. It is also a gateway to the metro, reached via the South Luzon Expressway and C5. Plus, office rates there are lower than in most other districts.

Infrastructures

Metro Manila has some of the world’s worst traffic. It remains the fourth most congested city in one global study. Still, the outlook is bright, thanks to current projects. For example, the Roadmap for Transportation Infrastructure Development aims to improve transport and land use across NCR. In addition, large public works keep investing in roads, bridges, and transit. As a result, the metro will grow more connected over time.

Reasons to outsource to Metro Manila

Many companies now move to provinces. However, Metro Manila is still a top choice. So global firms outsource to Metro Manila for these reasons.

A young, vibrant workforce

The Philippines has a large youth population and a high youth labor participation rate, per the Philippine Statistics Authority. So Metro Manila produces many young professionals each year. Most speak English well and grasp global culture. As a result, they work smoothly with companies worldwide.

Top expertise

The region hosts the country’s top universities. These include the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, and De La Salle University. So they produce skilled, licensed workers. As a result, firms can hire experts in accounting, design, and more at lower cost.

Favorable policies

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority and IBPAP have promoted Next Wave Cities for outsourcing. Still, their policies keep Metro Manila popular. For example, the push to expand gives firms more options outside the metro. In addition, hiring in the city stays cost-efficient versus in-house teams. An average BPO worker earns around US$500 a month, above the local minimum wage.

Established outsourcing industry

BPOs in the city are mature, well-known providers. They have decades of experience serving the US and UK. In addition, many experts leave large firms to start smaller ones and share their skills. Meanwhile, large firms expand to new sites for better service. As a result, clients get providers with deep knowledge and strong client care.

Top roles to outsource to Metro Manila

The metro first grew on call center work. Since then, it has expanded to back-office and professional roles. So business process management is easier with the right provider. Here are the top functions companies outsource to Metro Manila.

Customer support

First, customer support is a top choice. Teams here bring skill, care, and empathy to every call. As a result, they lift the customer experience.

Data entry

Next, many firms outsource data entry services to Manila. Local firms offer strong infrastructure and internet to handle large data volumes. In addition, they follow HIPAA and GDPR rules for sensitive data.

Accounting

The Philippines has one of the most established accounting professions in Asia, after Japan and India. It also produces thousands of new accountants each year. Many come from top Metro Manila schools. As a result, the city is ideal for outsourced accounting. So companies can hire skilled virtual accountants at lower cost.

Creative services

Lastly, creative services outsourcing keeps gaining ground in Metro Manila. Per the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP), many freelancers now work in creative fields. In addition, young Filipinos build their own creative firms. So companies find plenty of designers, web developers, and writers here.

BPO companies in Metro Manila

The city hosts many established BPO firms. Together, they built today’s thriving industry. So here are some of the top BPO companies in Metro Manila.

Teleperformance

Teleperformance started its Philippine operations in 1996. Since then, it has become a top contact center provider. It offers high-value, specialized services. Today, its sites span seven cities in Metro Manila, including its first office in Taguig City.

Accenture

Accenture is one of the oldest BPOs in Metro Manila. It set up its Global Resource Center in 1992. It pioneered software development and shared services in the country. Today, it offers technology, consulting, and customer service to global firms.

VXI Global

VXI Global Solutions opened its Philippine office in 2003. It is now a top telemarketing firm. It is known for multilingual support and call center services. In addition, it has around 20,000 employees across Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Davao, plus its Makati headquarters.

Sitel

Sitel is one of the world’s largest BPOs. It opened its Philippine office in 2000. Since then, it has grown to four locations: Metro Manila, Tarlac, Baguio, and Palawan. It also acquired Sykes, one of the country’s first BPOs. As a result, it aims to strengthen customer experience worldwide.

TaskUs

TaskUs was the first startup unicorn in the Philippines. It began as a virtual assistant company in Makati City. It offers next-generation outsourcing for high-growth brands. Today, it has thousands of seats across Taguig, Quezon City, and Pasig City.

Outsourcing to Metro Manila: Is it worth it?

Whether you are new to outsourcing or not, Metro Manila is worth a look. BPOs here offer many services and options for clients. With their skill and reliability, you can improve your functions fast. However, you should still pick a provider that fits your needs.

So finding the right partner is easier with an advisory firm like Outsource Accelerator. As the world’s largest outsourcing marketplace, Outsource Accelerator lists thousands of BPO firms worldwide. Many of them run operations in Metro Manila, ready to support your business.

Frequently asked questions

Why do companies outsource to Metro Manila?

They outsource to Metro Manila for its skilled, English-speaking workforce and mature BPOs. In addition, costs stay lower than in most Western hubs.

What roles can you outsource to Metro Manila?

You can outsource customer support, data entry, accounting, and creative work. In short, both back-office and professional roles are a good fit.

Is Metro Manila more expensive than other Philippine cities?

Yes, it costs more than most provinces. However, it still costs far less than in-house Western teams. Plus, it offers deep talent and mature providers.

Which BPO companies operate in Metro Manila?

Many large BPOs work here. For example, Teleperformance, Accenture, VXI Global, Sitel, and TaskUs all run sites in the metro.

Key takeaways

• Metro Manila is the birthplace of Philippine outsourcing and home to top BPOs.
• It offers a young, skilled, English-speaking workforce at a lower cost.
• Its business districts and infrastructure keep improving.
• The right provider makes outsourcing to Metro Manila well worth it.