Leonardia to critics: Don't blow up call center's expansion issue
BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday clarified that the reported series of robbery cases victimizing call center agents was not the reason why business process outsourcing (BPO) firm Teletech implemented its expansion in Iloilo City.
He said, in a press conference, that Teletech's Iloilo expansion is “just for the sake of expansion and nothing else.”
Earlier, Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Jocele Batapa-Sigue reported that she received an electronic message from the top officer of Teleperformance saying that they are planning to expand in Iloilo City because of the security risks confronted by their call centers agents here.
Leonardia said the issue is only being exploited by his detractors for their own political agenda.
Leonardia said robbery cases involving call center agents is being addressed and the Bacolod City Police Office is on top of everything.
"This controversy is not only hurting the image of Bacolod but also hurting the business sector in the city," Leonardia added.
He also appealed to all city officials not to ride on this issue for their own personal agenda. Leonardia also said that those people making a controversy out of this simple issue could be considered as "economic saboteurs."
Earlier, Mayor Leonardia along with Acting City Director Supt. Leo Erwin Agpangan assured all call centers that the city government will ensure the safety of their personnel by way of mobilizing the barangay tanods, Bantay Bayan and even the crime stoppers so that those responsible will be easily apprehended.
Leonardia had already requested the PNP hierarchy for the additional police forces to augment the Bacolod City Police Office most particularly on its daily operations. He further said that the safety of call center agents is now a priority and therefore appealed not to blow up this issue for personal and political interests.