P1.2-B new investments seen pouring into Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY , Philippines – Some P1.2-billion new investments are expected to pour into Bulacan starting next year with the activation of a network interconnection between Globe Telecoms and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) yesterday.

The interconnection means that landline subscribers of both telecommunication giants can call each other without having to pay for long distance charges.

Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said at least four companies involved in business process outsourcing (BPO) are set to establish operations in the province next year.

“There are four call centers that will soon establish operations in Bulacan,” he said. The call centers will be hosted by the towns of Bocaue, Guiguinto, San Rafael and this city.

Alvarado said that operations of said four call centers in the province will easily generate at least 4,000 new jobs.

Like he used to say, the governor stressed that proximity of Bulacan to Metro Manila and the Clark Freeport gave the province distinct advantage along with available skilled work force.

“Another factor in the conduciveness of Bulacan for investors is its business environment which I vowed to do from day one when I declared that we will set the house in order,” Alvarado said.

He said Thursday’s network interconnection between Globe Telecoms and PLDT was one of the keys for the investors.

Gamaliel Cordoba, commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) along with provincial officials led by Alvarado, witnessed the ceremonial signing of agreement be Globe Telecoms and PLDT officials here on Wednesday.

He said starting yesterday, landline subscribers of both PLDT and Globe Telecoms in the province will enjoy calling each other without paying long distance charges.

Cordoba said that aside from Bulacan, there are six other areas in the country that will enjoy full network interconnection activation between Globe Telecoms and PLDT.

The full network interconnection in Bulacan will be enjoyed by residents of towns of Angat, Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Marilao, Obando, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Sta. Maria, and San Rafael; and the cities of Malolos, Meycauayan, and San Jose Del Monte.