CEBU-based ExcelAsia Training and Development Inc. has spent P3 million for its expansion to Baguio and Alabang on the heels of a booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

In a statement, ExcelAsia—owned by Cebu’s Ugarte family—“announced a nationwide expansion program targeting strategic locations throughout the Philippines.”

At present, ExcelAsia has operations in Makati and Cebu, and a satellite office in Alabang.

ExcelAsia president Rita Trillo-Ugarte, said “For our expansion plans this year, we have earmarked Alabang–this time for a fully featured facility—as well as Baguio and Bacolod, as strategic sites for our new offices.”

Trillo-Ugarte said the move to establish a physical presence in multiple locations nationwide is a natural next step given the BPO industry’s development.

She said they will inaugurate three new offices between July and August. “We plan to train around 500 trainees per month in each of the new sites. We look forward to assisting untapped talent in these areas find gainful employment, and boost the employment rate in these locations,” Trillo-Ugarte said

Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in October 2005, ExcelAsia engages in training, recruitment, teaching vocational-technical education to develop staff and place human resources into and for the benefit of various industries with a focus on the customer outsourcing and/or call center industry.

“ExcelAsia will offer the same premiere suite of services that we are delivering from our existing offices, including placement of qualified applicants and training of near-hires under the ‘PGMA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program,’” explained.

BusinessMirror tried to ask where ExcelAsia would get the money for its expansion since it posted only P0.64 million in net income in 2006, its latest report to the SEC showed.

However, we were told Trillo-Ugarte is out of the country.

Industry experts expect the Philippine BPO sector to reach its peak by 2010.

Source: Business Mirror