🇵ðŸ‡Expand Your Business to the Philippines
Access the world's most customer-centric workforce with American-accent English, cultural alignment with the West, and proven BPO excellence.
Why Expand to the Philippines?
American English
Neutral American accent with 92% English literacy rate. No language barrier for US customers.
Service Culture
Hospitality is in the DNA. Natural empathy and patience perfect for customer service roles.
Western Affinity
Strong cultural alignment with the US. Familiar with American brands, media, and values.
BPO Infrastructure
Mature BPO ecosystem with world-class facilities, training programs, and government support.
Cost Effective
70% lower costs than US operations. Average customer service salary: $6,000-12,000/year.
24/7 Workforce
Night shift culture well-established. Filipinos comfortable working US business hours.
Our Operations in the Philippines
Manila & Cebu
What We've Built
- 800+ agents handling voice and chat support
- CSAT scores consistently above 90%
- Redundant sites for business continuity
- In-house training academy for continuous improvement
Key Learnings
- •Manila for scale, Cebu for lower costs and loyalty
- •Invest heavily in employee engagement activities
- •Typhoon season requires solid BCP planning
- •Rice allowance and HMO are must-have benefits
Services We Deliver from Philippines
Voice Support
Inbound/outbound calls, sales, technical support, collections
Digital Support
Live chat, email support, social media management, content moderation
Virtual Assistance
Executive assistants, appointment setting, data entry, research
Specialized Services
Healthcare support, e-commerce, travel & hospitality, fintech
Economic Overview
Salary Benchmarks
Average Salary by Role
Note: Salaries vary by experience level, location, and company size. Add 20-40% for benefits, taxes, and overhead.
Tax Environment
Tax Environment
Tax Considerations
Tax rates vary by entity type, industry, and location. Consult with local tax advisors for specific requirements. Some countries offer tax incentives for tech companies and foreign investment.
Incorporation Requirements
Incorporation Requirements
Available Entity Types
Corporation most common, requires SEC registration, local address
Visa & Mobility
Visa & Mobility
Work Visa Types
Digital nomad visa available, 9G work visa for employment, SRRV for retirees
Startup Ecosystem
Startup Ecosystem
Growing startup scene, strong BPO foundation, Manila and Cebu hubs
Compare Philippines with Other Countries
See how Philippines stacks up against other expansion markets. Compare salary, tax, hiring difficulty, and more.
Real Cost Analysis
| Role | Philippines Cost | US Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Rep | $6,000-8,000 | $32,000-40,000 | 75-80% |
| Team Leader | $10,000-15,000 | $45,000-55,000 | 70-75% |
| Quality Analyst | $8,000-12,000 | $40,000-50,000 | 75-80% |
| Virtual Assistant | $5,000-8,000 | $35,000-45,000 | 80-85% |
| Operations Manager | $18,000-25,000 | $70,000-90,000 | 70-75% |
Note: Costs include base salary only. Add 25-35% for benefits, infrastructure, and management overhead. Night differential (10%) applies for graveyard shifts.
Our Philippines Success Metrics
Cultural & Business Insights
Working Culture
- •Strong loyalty when treated well - "pakikipagkapwa"
- •Team-oriented with emphasis on harmony
- •Celebrations and recognition are highly valued
- •Indirect communication - saving face is important
Management Tips
- •Regular team building activities are essential
- •Provide career growth paths to reduce attrition
- •Celebrate birthdays and achievements publicly
- •Offer rice allowance and health benefits (HMO)
Key Success Factors
- Create a fun, engaging workplace culture
- Invest in quality training programs
- Provide transportation or allowances
- Build redundancy for natural disasters
Common Challenges
- ✕High competition for talent in metro areas
- ✕Infrastructure challenges during typhoon season
- ✕Traffic congestion in Manila affects punctuality
- ✕Higher attrition during "ber" months (Sept-Dec)
How to Set Up BPO Operations in the Philippines
Setup Timeline
Choose BPO Partner or Direct Setup (Week 1-2)
BPO partnership is fastest (2-3 weeks). Direct entity requires 6-12 weeks. EOR services: 3-4 weeks.Compare 20 BPO providers →
Location Selection: Manila vs Cebu vs Davao (Week 1-2)
Manila: Largest talent pool, highest costs. Cebu: Best value (15-20% cheaper). Davao: Lowest costs, emerging hub. Decision based on budget, scale, talent needs.
Legal Structure & Registration (Weeks 3-8)
Register corporation with SEC, obtain TIN, BIR registration, local business permits. PEZA registration for tax incentives. Timeline: 6-12 weeks for full compliance.
Recruitment & Hiring (Weeks 3-6)
Post on JobStreet, LinkedIn Philippines. Hiring timeline: 2-3 weeks per role. Notice periods: 30 days typical. Background checks essential. Training: 2-4 weeks.
Launch Operations (Week 6-10)
Go-live with initial team. Monitor quality, CSAT, handle time. Scale gradually. Plan for 18-22% annual attrition.
Three Outsourcing Models
1. BPO Partnership (Recommended)
Best for: Customer service, sales, tech support. BPO handles everything: infrastructure, hiring, compliance, QA.
2. Direct Setup (Full Control)
Best for: 100+ employees, long-term operations, full control needed. Own entity, employees, processes.
3. EOR Services (Flexible)
Best for: 5-30 employees, testing market, specialized roles. You recruit, EOR handles legal employment.
Philippines vs India: Which to Choose?
- ✓ Customer service & support (voice-heavy)
- ✓ Sales and retention campaigns
- ✓ American English accent required
- ✓ US market focus and cultural fit
- ✓ High emotional engagement roles
- ✓ Technical support (L2/L3)
- ✓ Software development & IT services
- ✓ Maximum cost savings (10-15% cheaper)
- ✓ 24/7 timezone coverage
- ✓ Data analytics & back office
Philippines BPO Costs: Complete Breakdown
Manila
- • Largest talent pool (13M metro)
- • Best infrastructure
- • Most BPO providers
- • Highest costs (premium)
- • 25-30% attrition
Cebu (Best Value)
- • 15-20% cheaper than Manila
- • Excellent English quality
- • Lower attrition (18-22%)
- • Second-largest BPO hub
- • Better quality of life
Davao
- • 20-25% cheaper than Manila
- • Lowest attrition (15-18%)
- • Emerging BPO hub
- • Smaller talent pool
- • Best for high-volume basic support
What's Included in BPO Pricing
Included in Hourly Rate:
- Agent salary + statutory benefits (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG)
- Office space, furniture, equipment
- IT infrastructure, internet, backup power
- Team leads, QA, management overhead
- Recruitment and training
- Performance monitoring and reporting
Additional Costs to Consider:
- CRM/software licenses (if not provided by you)
- Setup/implementation fees ($0-10K one-time)
- Specialized training programs
- Travel for facility visits/audits
- Custom integrations or development
Average Savings: 60-70% compared to US-based teams
Calculate Your Philippines CostsFrequently Asked Questions
How much does BPO outsourcing to Philippines cost?
Philippines BPO costs range from $10-20/hour all-in, depending on location and service type. Cebu offers best value at $11-17/hour (15-20% cheaper than Manila). This includes agent salary, benefits, infrastructure, management, and overhead. Total savings: 60-70% vs US teams.
Should I choose Manila or Cebu for my BPO operations?
Cebu is recommended for most companies: 15-20% cheaper than Manila ($11-17/hr vs $13-20/hr), lower attrition (18-22% vs 25-30%), excellent English quality, and better quality of life for agents. Choose Manila only if you need 100+ agents, maximum provider options, or specific Manila-based expertise. Compare BPO providers by location →
Do Filipino agents really have American English accents?
Yes, particularly in Metro Manila and Cebu. Philippines has unique advantages: US colonial history, English as official language (92% literacy), heavy consumption of American media, and BPO industry training in accent neutralization. Voice quality consistently rated superior to other offshore locations. Request facility tours and listen to live calls to verify quality before contracting.
What is the minimum team size for Philippines BPO?
Minimum agent requirements vary by provider: Large BPOs require 20-40 agents (Concentrix: 30, Teleperformance: 40), mid-market providers offer 5-15 minimums, and Globalify's 5-agent minimum is among the lowest. This makes Philippines BPO accessible for mid-market companies and pilot programs.See provider minimums →
How quickly can I launch BPO operations in Philippines?
BPO partnership: 2-3 weeks from contract to live operations (fastest). EOR services: 3-4 weeks. Direct entity setup: 6-12 weeks for full compliance. BPO is recommended for speed - they provide pre-screened talent, ready infrastructure, and proven processes. Mid-market providers like Globalify can launch in 2 weeks for standard customer service operations.
What are typical attrition rates in Philippines BPO?
Industry average: 18-25% annually (lower than India's 25-30%). Manila: 25-30% due to high competition. Cebu: 18-22% (sweet spot). Davao: 15-18% (lowest). Attrition spikes during "ber" months (September-December) due to holiday hiring elsewhere. Best providers maintain sub-20% through strong culture, competitive pay, career development, and engagement programs.
Is Philippines better than India for outsourcing?
Depends on your needs. Philippines excels at: Customer service, sales, voice interactions (American English accent, cultural fit).India excels at: Technical support, software development, maximum cost savings (10-15% cheaper). Many companies use both: Philippines for customer-facing roles, India for technical/back-office work. Compare India BPO options →
See Our Philippines Operations in Action
Philippines is a key part of our global delivery network. Explore how we leverage our presence across 8 strategic locations to deliver seamless 24/7 operations for your business.
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