Speaking during the recent opening of South Point at SM City Iloilo, Sy remains optimistic amidst fears expressed by key players and even BPO workers.

Aside from Trump’s campaign to reclaim offshore jobs and give jobs back to Americans, another cause for jitters is President Rodrigo Duterte’s recurring verbal attacks against the US.

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, the country’s BPO sector has a workforce of 1.3 million, with more than 70 percent of its clients based in North America.

For Sy, practicality will dictate decisions of US-based companies engaged in offshore operations.

“Although the BPO labor cost here even on our standard is considered high, it is still very, very cheap compared with the US,” noted Sy.

“I am not sure, if it would be practical for them to bring it back to the US. Unless, there is some incentive for the operators to entice them to go back home,” added Sy.

Over the years, the SM Group has constructed buildings specifically for BPO locators.

Sy added the SM Group will not halt its proposed projects and will continue  building more BPO towers.