"We will see to it that Bacolod will provide a conducive environment for business to grow in and will continue to be friendly to the ICT industry," Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said during the inauguration of TeleTech's expansion area in Bacolod City.

Leonardia and TeleTech executive director of operations, Scott Sim, graced the opening ceremonies of TeleTech's expansion area at its delivery center that will serve a North American telecommunications client.

Leonardia said this was his first official ribbon-cutting function in his new term, drawing applause from company officials. TeleTech began operating in Bacolod City in June 2006 with about 1,100 employees and more than 900 workstations at the end of the year.

With the expansion area's more than 250 workstations, Bacolod Delivery Center is now TeleTech's largest in the Visayas region with over 1,800 employees. Leonardia said if TeleTech has 1,800, employees the city has reached the 2,000 mark in less than a year which he had expected the IT industry to provide in terms of employment. He said "If we can make TeleTech grow, we can also make Bacolod grow." He also said that Bacolod will prepare its manpower to support the industry.

Maulik Parekh, vice president and general manager of TeleTech's Asia operations, said expanding its Bacolod center is a clear proof that the city has fully supported TeleTech.

"We remain upbeat and optimistic about TeleTech's business in Bacolod City and we will continue to help in this city's socio-economic development," he said.

Meanwhile, Leonardia said the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed an ordinance for the development of the Information and Communication Industry in Bacolod City. He said Bacolod's ICT Investment programs was cited as one of the 10 best public sector practices in Region 6.

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said that with approval of the ordinance, there will be an ICT Council formed. She said the Commission on Information and Communications Technology under the Office of the President has said that it is willing to support all the initiatives of the ICT Council of Bacolod City.

Batapa-Sigue said the Philippines right now is trying to redeem its reign second to India in terms of the ICT sector. The Mayor has supported the idea that they will undertake a drastic and aggressive human resource development programs for the city, she said. This means we will try to address the needs of the ICT industry, she added.*CGS

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