Sykes expands PH operations as confidence up on economy

Sykes Philippines has opened its sixth facility in Muntinlupa City representing the American call center company’s continued confidence in the local economy.

The opening of the Sykes facility in Alabang, which will occupy five floors of the ATC Corporate Center, will generate more than 2,200 employment opportunities. It will also support the growing requirements of the company’s existing and upcoming clients—most of which are reportedly top players in their respective industries.

At present, Sykes employs more than 15,000 Filipinos across its network in the country.

“We are very excited with the opening of the Alabang site. We are confident that it will play a vital role in the company’s efforts to further increase its business in the Philippines,” said Sykes vice president for Philippine operations Dean Van Ormer.

The new facility was inaugurated late Thursday and was attended by key company and government officials including Sykes senior vice president for regional operations Mike Henderson and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Deputy Director General Justo Porfirio Yusingco.

According to Van Ormer, the Philippines continues to be one the best performing markets in Sykes’ global network, adding that this latest investment here formed part of the company’s commitment to help boost economic activity in the Philippines.

“Growing Philippine communities has always been an important mission for Sykes. As we grow our presence in the country, we make sure that we make a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos,” Van Ormer added.

Sykes’ fresh investment came amid the current political climate in the country, which analysts claimed was one of the reasons for the slide in both the stock market and the peso.

Outsourcing companies this week raised their concerns on the declaration of a state of lawlessness, which President Duterte announced following the explosion at a Davao City night market that claimed the lives of 14 last Sept. 3. The declaration also cited the administration’s ongoing war against illegal drug trade.

The latter has caught the attention of international leaders, including US President Barack Obama, who urged the government to respect human rights. The rough-talking Duterte told international observers to stay away from the country’s affairs.

The Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) assured investors it was still “business as usual” here.

“[We] said there has been no change in policy here. It’s business as usual for us and there are, so far, no travel advisory changes among business process outsourcing companies and clients,” said CCAP president Benedict Hernandez.