Cebu shifts from BPO to GCC hub
Cebu is emerging as a significant hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in the Philippines, attracting multinational companies establishing in-house operations for higher-value functions. This shift moves beyond traditional business process outsourcing (BPO) to more specialized services like finance, IT, and data analytics. Property consultancy Colliers Philippines notes Cebu accounts for about 31 percent of the provincial IT-BPM footprint, making it a leading destination outside Metro Manila. The country as a whole had approximately 200 GCCs employing 270,000 professionals in 2025, positioning it as the world’s second-largest GCC delivery location. This expansion is driven by companies seeking to diversify operations and tap talent beyond the capital.
The Philippines is transitioning from a BPO-centric model to a Global Capability Center (GCC) powerhouse, with Cebu leading the provincial charge. This reflects a strategic evolution where multinational companies are building in-house offshore units for functions like AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity, rather than relying solely on third-party outsourcing. The country hosted around 200 GCCs in 2025, employing 270,000 professionals, and is projected to reach 289,000 by 2026. This growth is significant for the broader Asian tech landscape as it points to the region's increasing capacity for knowledge-intensive operations. While Metro Manila remains the primary entry point due to its deep talent pool, provincial hubs like Cebu are gaining traction for geographic diversification and operational resilience. The critical factor for Cebu's continued success will be its ability to cultivate a workforce skilled in advanced technologies. Nearly half of Philippine GCCs were already testing or deploying generative AI in production by 2025, indicating a strong demand for AI-fluent talent.
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