BAGUIO CITY – The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry in the city remains to be vibrant with continuous hiring and training of employees. According to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA-Baguio) Supervising Labor Affairs Officer Ted Palahon,  there are five BPO companies registered with PEZA-Baguio namely SITEL with three sites, Aegis People’s Support, IHG, Noble Trends and Bounds Inc and WWW Outsourcing.‘These companies are continuously hiring employees and joining (city) jobs fair,’ Palahon said.

National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB-CAR) Regional Head  Benjie Navarro  affirmed that the BPO industry is definitely continuously growing and helping the local economy’s growth.

Navarro said  the BPO industry contributes to the steady growth of the Service Sector of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GRDP). ‘BPOs are included in the private services  under the Service Sector,’ Navarro said.

Based on the 2009 GRDP released by NSCB in August, the service sector contributed 25.4 percent of the region’s economy. Out of the P8.013 Billion earned by the region’s service sector, P2.922 billion comes from the private services.

Navarro also agreed  with Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s pronouncement that the Philippines can compete with India as the prime BPO destination. ‘In terms of skills, I think the Philippines can compete with India,’he  said.

Navarro also lauded Senator Santiago for pushing a legislation that will help the continuous growth of the country’s BPO industry . This  will be further strengthened with proper legislation in place and more skills training program from the government.

Meanwhile, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) earlier reported that Baguio needs to be wary of other emerging Next Wave cities for outsourcing and offshoring  if it is to retain its competitiveness as a major BPO investment site. Baguio is only at No. 9 of the list of most favored sites with Davao topping the top ten list.

Hillsford Property Corp. of Ayala Land Inc. is now constructing the Baguio-Ayala Land Techno Hub at the John Hay Ecozone, which is expected to further boost the region’s role as the northernmost hub in the Cyber Corridor super region, as the completion of this first building is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs from the BPO offices, retail establishments and support maintenance services. **Lito Dar/PIA