"This is like turning the [global] crisis into opportunity. We're leveraging talent in different places and we aim to work with governments and businesses. Our investment would be in people, infrastructure and access," said Janet Klein, director of ISV (Independent Software Vendors) and developer relations at IBM Growth Markets.

Klein said the new innovation center will be built inside the UP-Ayala Techo Hub along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, across the University of the Philippines, where IBM does part of its BPO (business process outsourcing) operations.