ILOILO CITY — To cushion the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Joel Villanueva is pushing Iloilo province to boost its information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO).
“Iloilo should look into it. Digital careers are growing even during the pandemic,” said Villanueva while at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Wednesday, October 20.
Most IT-BPO companies are based in Iloilo City.
But last August, India-based IGT Solutions announced it is opening a call center in Pavia town, which is under Iloilo province. IGT Solutions is set to offer at least 250 jobs before the year ends.
Villanueva, who was formerly the director general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), reiterated that the IT-BPO sector continues to generate jobs.
“We have to map out what needs to be done as part of the economic recovery,” added Villanueva.
The senator had a lengthy meeting with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on how the Iloilo provincial government can partner in generating jobs lost during the pandemic in other sectors including tourism.
Defenosr also noted that Villanueva was instrumental in facilitating with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for approving emergency employment for 2,000 tourism workers displaced in Iloilo province.