United States-based business process outsourcing (BPO) firm Afni formally launched its new Philippine site in the city of Santa Rosa, Laguna province on Saturday, expanding its presence outside Metro Manila.

The new Afni office, located right next to SM City Santa Rosa, commenced hiring last December 2023 and hopes to fill at least 3,000 positions by end of 2024.

Khalid Khursheed, senior vice president and country manager of Afni Philippines, said the firm chose Santa Rosa as location to its third office due to its accessibility to the public, rich talent pool, and existing infrastructure.

“By opening our new site in Santa Rosa, we are not only creating new job opportunities but also empowering local talents in and around Laguna to thrive closer to where they live,” he said at the site’s grand opening on April 14.

“We also want to help the Philippine government ease up the traffic, we don’t want to open up another center in Metro Manila where it’s already difficult for people to travel,” he added.

The Santa Rosa office spans over 9,400 square feet across multiple floors, boasting modern amenities, sleeping quarters, and a now-under-construction arcade/game room for its employees.

Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas, who was also present at the launch, said Afni’s new office further boosts the city’s position as the ICT hub of Southern Luzon.

Afni Philippines caters to overseas clients in various industries, including insurance, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, fitness, and media.

It established presence in the country in 2012, starting from 80 to 100 hires per month that eventually grew to 250 to 300 recruits per week.

Afni has two other offices in Quezon City and employs more than 8,000 to date.

In a separate interview, Khursheed said Afni also plans to open a fourth office by 2026, scoping for a possible site in Roxas City and Cagayan de Oro City.

“First, we got to fill all the jobs here (in Santa Rosa), and then we’ll fill the jobs there,” he said.

“Afni is eyeing expansion beyond Metro Manila as we support the government in its goals for regional growth. Diversifying our footprint in the Philippines allows us to bring jobs closer to where our employees live,” he noted.

Afni Santa Rosa has a number of job offers spanning from technical support, customer relations, human resource, administration to managerial positions, among others.

“We don’t have age limit, we are espousing diversity— even if you are a senior citizen as long as you can work on site and can do graveyard shifts, we are open for that,” Afni Philippines Senior Director for Human Resources Melanie Lara said.

“Persons with disability are also welcome. We also accept senior high school graduates as long as they have at least six-month experience with BPO,” she added.

Career opportunities at the firm are posted at its website https://www.afni.com/. (PNA)