ICOT park boosts Leyte’s evolution as the IT hub in region 8

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 17, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The development of Leyte as the Information Technology (IT) hub in the Region is coming to fruition. This, with the forthcoming inauguration of the Leyte Information and Communication Technology (ICOT) Park on May 23, 2006.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla revealed that the Province of Leyte is proud to be the owner/lessor of the ICOT Park, a 6.8 hectare property located at Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

The ICOT Park which according to Governor Petilla, is also home to the Leyte Academic Center (LAC), is a PEZA Zone facility which is envisioned to be the host to call center operations and business process outsource companies in Leyte.

Since his assumption into office as Governor of Leyte, Governor Petilla has always believed that IT is the key to a strong economy, not only of Leyte but also of the entire Region 8.

He envisions that IT will attract more investors and stir the creation of more jobs for the Leyteños and the Eastern Visayans. With more jobs created, more people will be employed and with more citizens employed, the economic condition of the families will also improve, Governor Petilla quipped.

Being a businessman engaged in the IT business before he became Governor of Leyte, Governor Petilla knows what he is talking about and with his sincerity and determination, his vision is slowly but surely coming into fruition.

Through Governor Petilla’s initiatives, some big international IT companies are now considering to locate in Leyte. Lately, the Teletech came to the province to make interviews of future employees and because of the positive outcome of the interviews, Governor Petilla was informed that Teletech has decided to locate one of its call centers in the province.

In a recent interview with DOST 8 Director Ed Esperancilla, he intimated Governor Petilla’s plan to make an IT Incubation Center at the ICOT Park. This center will provide aspiring IT investors, the equipments and facilities to start the business right there in the Park paying a very minimal rent. When the investor knows the trade already and decides to go into the IT business, then it will relocate in another place if he so wishes.