Cebu City’s incoming leadership charts a worker-first agenda that promises to reshape support for the city’s thriving business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. Aimed at improving conditions for night-shift agents, the plan prioritizes round-the-clock accessibility to government services, safer transportation, and expanded education and housing support.
The proposed measures offer practical solutions and long-term empowerment for the thousands of BPO workers who keep the city’s economy running after dark.
Night-shift lifeline: safe, seamless commutes
In a meeting with BPO representatives on June 19, incoming Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña emphasized the city government’s commitment to “act like waiters” for the 24/7 sector, delivering essential support directly to the people who power Cebu’s growing outsourcing economy.
Osmeña prioritizes reliable transport, citing “unholy hours” when graveyard-shift workers struggle to get rides. He plans to revive city-run shuttles designed by BPO staff, who will map barangays and shifts to plot routes. A three-bus pilot will launch soon, offering free rides before private partners take over via a subscription-based model.
In addition, initiatives are underway to introduce a demand-driven commuter shuttle system, developed with input from the BPO workers. Initial operations will start with three city-funded buses before transitioning to a partner-supported subscription model.
Meanwhile, Osmeña’s “Mayor of the Night” initiative would bring 24/7 government service counters directly to BPO hubs such as Cebu Business Park, making it easier for workers to process documents, renew licenses, or seek assistance without sacrificing rest or productivity. “We’re demand-driven,” Osmeña said, promising to adjust services as worker needs evolve.
Inclusive growth: housing, childcare, and study-work hubs
Beyond these services, Osmeña targets two groups often sidelined by rigid schedules: single mothers and out-of-school youth.
Inspired by the Israeli kibbutz model, the communal living complex he envisions will provide on-site childcare and shared transport, allowing single mothers to work and raise their children within the same supportive environment.
Meanwhile, the proposed South Road Properties (SRP) training facility would allow working students to earn a degree flexibly while gaining full-time experience in the BPO sector.
These reforms signal a transformative shift in how Cebu supports its BPO workers as individuals deserving of accessible services, secure livelihoods, and upward mobility.
Businesses keep turning to Cebu’s BPO firms for affordable, high-quality services, a thriving tech scene, and a steady stream of talented, job-ready graduates.
With nearly 200,000 Cebuanos working in the industry, Cebu’s push for inclusive programs shows it’s open for business as it invests in people, building a future where growth and opportunity go hand in hand.
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SunStar Cebu. (2025, June 19). Major support plan for BPO workers bared. SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/major-support-plan-for-bpo-workers-bared
Weaklend, P. (2025, March 6). BPO Philippines: Top 5 Cities for Outsourcing. TDS Global Solutions. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://www.tdsgs.com/blog/bpo-philippines
