Expert Global Solutions Opens Ilocos Site

More quality BPO careers now available in the province

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, EGS Philippines President and Country Head Bong Borja, and Father Romualde Batoon of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag lead the ribbon cutting ceremony held during the opening of the new EGS Ilocos site in Laoag City on November 21, 2014. EGS, or Expert Global Solutions, is an international and leading business process outsourcing company with branches in Pampanga and Metro Manila. (PGIN-CMO)

By John Michael Mugas

PGIN-CMO

Ilocos Norte’s potential as an information technology and business process management hub has been finally realized as Expert Global Solutions (EGS), a global leader in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), officially opened and commenced operations on November 21 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.

Yvon Baptista, 22, of Dingras, Ilocos Norte had spent almost a year working at EGS Clark. After being hired through a recruitment process conducted in the province, she decided to leave Ilocos Norte, where she grew up, and work at Clark.

“At first, I feared the isolation and the unfamiliarity of the place. But the decision to work at EGS Pampanga had taught me to become more independent, stronger and I learned to mingle with other people from other places which made me ease my bain (sense of shame) and being too attached with family relatives,” said Ms, Baptista.

Ms. Baptista is one of the more than a hundred Ilocano call center agents who was previously hired by EGS and was sent to Pampanga to undergo training with pay and work there temporarily.

“Ninety-four of them are now in the province to work at EGS Ilocos,” said Eric Pascua, Provincial Investment Office head.

Kick-starting the opening of EGS Ilocos was a motorcade around the city followed by a formal inauguration wherein a site blessing, a tour inside EGS Ilocos and ribbon cutting headed by Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos and EGS Philippine President Rainerio “Bong” M. Borja.

“After carefully reviewing a host of possibilities, we are pleased to have a home in Laoag. Given the abundance of talented people in the area, I believe there is great potential for us to continue growing our business here,” shares Mr. Borja.

He added that EGS is eyeing a strong team in Ilocos, and to provide great career opportunities for Ilocanos.

“We believe since quality careers are now available in Ilocos with EGS, residents will no longer need to leave their families and homes to search jobs elsewhere. We at EGS are thrilled to be able to open our doors and provide members for the community with these opportunities. Build your career where your hearts is closest – your home,” he explained

Rapid growth is eyed in the coming months wherein the company is looking to hire nearly 200 additional employees over the next several months.

“Finally all promises are already being fulfilled and all doubts are being put to rest, as EGS is well and surely here in Ilocos Norte,” said Ms. Marcos.

Ms. Marcos also said that she is impressed EGS managed to put up its site in compliance with the standards of international clients at the previous location of iHub, a narrow library space within Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.

Six years in the making, the establishment of the firm in the province is in line with the campaign of the governor, namely Task Force Trabaho, to aggressively create more jobs for the Ilocanos.

EGS Philippines continues to grow, with approximately 14,000 employees located across sites in Centris, Cubao, Mezza, Marikina, Fort, Alabang, Clark and now, Ilocos.