ILOILO City – Western Visayas is setting its sights on becoming the country’s premier hub for healthcare business process outsourcing (BPO), as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 and the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP) formalize a multi-agency effort to expand the Health Information Management Services (HIMS) industry in the region.
In a move seen as a catalyst for economic growth and employment generation, DTI-6, HIMAP, and partner agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) here outlining g coordinated strategies for talent development, curriculum alignment, industry training, and digital innovation to position the region as a globally competitive HIMS destination.
“We are helping to make Region 6 the HIMS capital of the world,” declared DTI-6 director Rachel Nufable. “Nobody challenged us — even countries that claimed the title — but we’re making the claim because we believe in our people, our partners, and our vision.”
The MOA was signed by DTI-6, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), and HIMAP. The partnership aims to integrate healthcare, education, and ICT sectors to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in healthcare outsourcing.
HIMAP vice president JL Botor emphasized the industry’s evolution beyond customer service: “It’s not just about answering calls. HIMS involves vital processes in patient care, billing, analytics, and compliance. The future is here, and Western Visayas has what it takes — talent, infrastructure, and drive.”
Currently, Western Visayas hosts several major HIMS firms, with Iloilo leading the charge due to its medical and allied health graduates, competitive infrastructure, and business-friendly climate. Other areas such as Roxas City (being developed as a digital city), Bacolod, Guimaras, Antique, and Aklan are also being primed for expansion.
However, the initiative faces challenges — particularly in soft skills such as communication, which continue to hinder applicant readiness. To address this, stakeholders are pushing for stronger engagement with schools and companies for training and bridging programs.
“We need to promote this industry more vigorously to encourage young people to consider healthcare BPO as a career,” Nufable said. “We are confident that the academic sector will step up and help build the workforce the industry needs.”
The MOA signing was attended by around 300 participants from the public and private sectors, including local government units, educators, service providers, and students. DTI and HIMAP hope that this unified approach will not only attract more investors but also elevate Western Visayas as a regional center of excellence in healthcare information management services./PN
