The visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Bacolod yesterday has impressed many Negrenses. Hosted by Teleperformance Call Center at Luxur Place (formerly Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel), the visit of GMA was part of her Cyber IT Tour in the country.

She was warmly received upon arrival at the Bacolod Silay Airport by government and politicial leaders - Gov. Isidro Zayco, Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano, Cong. Jose Carlos Lacson, her brother in law Cong. Iggy Arroyo, NOPPO director PSSupt. Manuel Felix, Col. Maximo Caro - commanding officer, 303rd Infantry Brigade Philippine Army, then at the Teleperformance - Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Cong. Monico Puentevella, Tele-performance president David Rizzo, Counc. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue as chair of the CICT and BNEFIT, and all representatives of the Information technology industry, with Press Undersecretary Dr. Anthony Golez.

Responding to the positive statements of GMA for the Negrenses and the BPO industry, here are some reactions of Negrense leaders:

NOPPO Director SSupt. Manuel Felix: "She came over for a very good reason, she talked on investments along the line of information technology. We are happy that our province has a lot of call centers benefitting our constituents."

Col. Maximo Caro: "This is good because the President is talking about development. Hopefully, the peace and order efforts of the police and military also have been contributing to development. The CPP-NPA has committed much untoward incidents since the 2nd semester of last year. This only means our peace and order situation has greatly improved."

USEC Dr. Anthony Golez: "It is nice that the President has visited Bacolod City, a place considered one of the best contenders in terms of cyber corridors. The IT industry gives jobs to Bacolodnons. Her visit is a way of showing support to this industry, and I thank the President for visiting Bacolod."

Mayor Evelio Leonardia: "We are happy she has recognized Bacolod City being within the top 5 of the next wave cities, and the rating of Bacolod as number 1 in terms of business environment in the whole country. Am also happy that she talked a lot of positive aspects about Negros Occidental and positive developments in Bacolod. This ultimately adds confidence of investors in Bacolod."

Cong. Monico Puentevella: "If her visit gains more investments and employment through the call centers, then her visit was worth it. Congrats to Jocelle Batapa too for a job well done."

In her briefing during the program, Counc. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, chair, BNEFIT and CICT, cited the positive result of the emergence of BPO industry in the city. But she also asked the president for additional support for training on animation, medical transcription, and other aspects on Information Technology.* (EBC)