ILOILO City – The city government is gearing up to transform Iloilo into a more competitive hub for business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, with plans to prioritize workforce upskilling and tackle critical infrastructure issues such as power reliability and connectivity.
Mayor Jerry Treñas spearheaded a recent discussion with BPO stakeholders, emphasizing the urgency of enhancing workers’ comprehension, critical thinking, and English proficiency to meet the industry’s evolving demands.
Velma Jane Lao, head of the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (LEDIP) Office, revealed that while many workers can communicate in English, deeper comprehension remains a challenge.
“To build a future-ready workforce, we need to go beyond basic skills. The focus should be on improving their capacity to process information critically and effectively,” Lao stated.
To address this, the city is collaborating with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and TESDA-accredited training centers to roll out specialized finishing courses and bridge programs tailored to the industry’s needs.
The city also plans to tackle persistent infrastructure issues raised by BPO companies, particularly rotational brownouts and inconsistent fiber connectivity. With many larger firms adopting work-from-home setups, stable power and internet are essential.
Satrian Peñasales, LEDIP focal person for BPOs, said the sector will collect data on the frequency and impact of power interruptions to assess their effect on productivity. These findings will then be shared with power providers, including More Electric and Power Corp. and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, to push for solutions.
The discussion also touched on the future of the BPO industry in the face of advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI is seen as a growing influence in automating basic tasks, industry leaders assured that human creativity remains irreplaceable.
“The city government is committed to supporting BPOs as they adapt to these shifts, ensuring that Iloilo remains a viable and attractive destination for investors,” Lao added.
With a dual focus on skill development and infrastructure improvements, Iloilo City is positioning itself as a resilient and adaptive player in the competitive BPO landscape. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
