MANILA, Philippines?Cincinnati-based business process outsourcing firm Convergys plans to hire 2,400 more employees in the Philippines with the opening of its latest site in Manila, targeting the thousands of students who graduate from college in schools around the city?s famous ?University Belt? area.

In a statement, Convergys said its new site, located in Manila?s San Lazaro area, was the company?s 12th in the country.

?Convergys now has more than 21,000 employees across seven centers in Metro Manila, three in Cebu, one in Bacolod and one in Santa Rosa, Laguna,? the company said.

It noted that the newest facility was located just a few minutes away from institutions like the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

?Convergys San Lazaro is located in the district?s business and leisure center with easy access to public transportation and the convenience of a nearby shopping mall,? the company said.

The San Lazaro contact center contains a recruitment center, executive and administrative offices, training rooms, conference rooms and employee lounges.

Like other Convergys facilities in the Philippines, the newest center provides support for global customers through telephone, Web chat, and e-mail.

?We continue to experience a high client demand specifically for customer service support in the Philippines,? said Marife Zamora, Philippines country manager of Convergys.

?As evidenced by our seven years of operation in the Philippines, this has been another banner year for Convergys. I am so very proud to represent our company and the 21,000 employees who commit to providing great customer service everyday,? she said.