PGMA cites immense contribution of BPOs to jobs creation program

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited Monday the enormous contribution of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, specifically the business process outsourcing (BPO) players, to her administration's thrust to create at least six to 10 million jobs by 2010.

At the inauguration this morning of the first Sykes Enterprises Inc. Center in Cebu province, the President thanked Chuck Sykes, president and chief operating officer of the global company, for the direct jobs as well as the indirect employment opportunities created with the establishment of six Sykes centers in the Philippines.

"May you have more Sykes (centers) here in the Philippines. Thank you for the 10,000 jobs you have given the Filipinos and also for the jobs you have given for the businesses around your BPO centers," the President said.

"Even if they don't have the call center English, they get jobs because of you," the President told Sykes, referring to the thousands of indirect employment created around the BPO centers such as those benefiting janitors, waiters, jeepney drivers, among others.

The ICT sector, specifically the call centers and BPOs established in various parts of the country, has greatly contributed to the national economic growth with the service sector topping the list.

Sykes' senior vice president and managing director for Asia-Pacific Rim Mike Henderson said the Philippines' booming economy made Sykes decide to "expand our business" in the country.

"We continue to look for ways on creating jobs and contribute to the local economy," Henderson said, adding that with the government's support, they "look forward to expanding our business even more."

The President led the ribbon-cutting and the unveiling of the marker at the main entrance of Sykes-Cebu located on F. Cabahug Street, Cebu.

The President then made a quick tour of the call center operations area and interacted with some of the Cebuano staff of Sykes.

Sykes is a global leader in providing outsourced customer contact management solutions and services in the BPO arena. It has some 17,000 staff members in 16 countries.

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Sykes now has six BPO centers in the Philippines, of which five are in Metro Manila.

In its Cebu center alone, Sykes has 1,700 employees and aims to increase that number to 2,700.

The inauguration of the Sykes-Cebu coincided with the 10th anniversary of Sykes in the Philippines.

Earlier, the President visited the exhibit of Cebu's furniture makers at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

The Cebu furniture makers have been among the country's leading exporters. (PNA)