By Paulo Loreto Lim
The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently approved on its first reading an ordinance that would require business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, or call centers, to construct a transport hub for their employees within their premises.
According to City Councilor Caesar Distrito, who authored the ordinance, “This ordinance will require the creation of a transportation bay at BPO establishments and to employ a system where information of the driver and the public utility vehicle are taken and given to the passenger, similar to the system done by malls.”
“Several crimes have happened lately involving robbers and thieves posing as drivers of taxis or tricycles and most of their victims are working at BPO companies,” he explained.
According to the ordinance, BPOs have six months to comply with the measure, while newly-operating companies will be required to provide the service before being issued a business permit.
Companies found to be in violation will be fined P5,000 and their business permit suspended for one year.
The ordinance is still subject to a public hearing and second reading./WDJ