4 new call centers set to open in Iloilo City 
 
By Jeehan V. Fernandez
 
AT LEAST four new call centers are expected to open in Iloilo City starting this January, announced Mayor Jerry Treñas.

This, even as the Year 2007 saw the coming of private investments in the metropolis.

“It was a record and a banner year for investments,” Treñas assessed the previous year while referring to the entry of several giant call centers in the city.

The mayor explained the city is becoming a hotspot for call centers with more prospective investors signifying interest to expand their operations here.

Treñas is optimistic that TeleTech will open at SM City-Iloilo and three other call center firms will start operating this January.

“Iloilo City is hot for call centers. For the next few months, there’s this ‘rush’ in call center investments. A huge human resources requirement search is evident on streamers posted all over the city announcing job fairs of various call center companies,” said Treñas.

He disclosed that call center company Western Wats Philippines has eyed by January the opening of 2,000 initial seats and another 2,000 for expansion which translates to at least 3,000 new jobs.

Treñas also revealed the prospects of call center firms Sutherland Global and Sitel that have planned to branch out in the city this year.

He said there are available areas for call center locators including parking area of Robinson’s Place Iloilo which could accommodate 4,000 seats and Amigo Mall’s second floor with another 4,000 seats.

These spaces have been registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) which offers several tax incentives for investors.

On top of these, Treñas boasted of the “biggest investment” courtesy of giant real estate developer Megaworld Corp. pouring in P1.5 billion to develop the 54-hectare old airport property in Mandurriao district while developments are set to kick off this first quarter.

“These investments will really turn into employment opportunities for the people. Works will be available during construction stage and sustainable jobs ultimately,” stressed Treñas.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Iloilo) provincial director Diosdado Cadena Jr. noted the three existing call centers in the city including Callbox, ePLDT Ventus and Echo have employed an initial of 2,000 workers but continue hiring.

Megaworld is expected to propel the call center “hit” even as it has vowed to put Iloilo in the world map of rising BPO industry.

The BPO sector includes call centers, medical and legal transcriptions, software development, architecture and animation using state-of-the-art computer technology.