REGULAR SWAB TESTS FOR BPO EMPLOYEES; City gov’t says call center companies cooperative

ILOILO City – The city government plans a random but regular coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing of employees of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in the metro.

“Okay gid aton mga BPO companies, they understand [the situation],” said Francis Cruz, executive assistant of Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Today, managers and representatives of BPO companies will discuss with the city government proactive measures to protect employees from the virus in their working spaces.

“They understand nga once magka-outbreak, mauntat gid ila operations,” said Cruz. “We are even endorsing nga magpa-swab sila sa aton Uswag Molecular Laboratory in Molo district kay mas buro-barato.”

The random COVID-19 swabbing of BPO employees here kicked off yesterday. Treñas ordered the testing following the surge in coronavirus cases at the Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), a BPO company in Mandurriao district.  

Jeck Conlu, City COVID Team spokesperson, said just yesterday alone, they were able to swab 300 individuals – a mix of BPO employees and close contacts of call center employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

As of this writing, HGS had 112 total COVID-19-positive employees.

Patients who were residents of the city were placed under facility quarantine, but the management of HGS is gradually transferring them to a hotel to continue with their quarantine.

Another measure being considered is the regular inspection on the BPOs and other companies.

“We will be exchanging notes tomorrow para synchronized and coordinated ang aton hulag,” Cruz said.

This city is home to 72 BPO companies with more or less 25,000 call center employees in total, Cruz said.

And it is still growing with entry of more BPO companies and the expansion of the existing ones.

Cruz said the city government has been reminding not only BPO companies but also other establishments to strictly implement basic health protocols and other curbs against COVID-19./PN