US-based firm sets up shop in Cebu

ANOTHER foreign company has expanded its offshore operations in Cebu.

The opening of the office of US-based Professional Claims and Intervention Services (PCI) last Saturday followed Daimler Group Services Company’s opening of its support services office early this month in Cebu.

“The PCI is an insurance claims intervention services provider advocating for employers to reduce the cost of their Workers’ Compensation program while it also ensures injured employees get benefits that are fair and reasonable,” said Carmela Malaza, PCI Cebu operations manager.

“PCI started operations in Bellevue in Washington State in 1999 and continuously draws in clients such that a new operation’s site is imminent,” Malaza said.

She said PCI acts as a third-party administrator to clients in the Washington and Ohio States.

RESEARCH

“Our litigating paralegals in the US represent our clients during court hearings. The Cebu office provides back-end support in this process as it does all the medical research and forensic reviews of medical records that can be used as evidence during the legal arguments,” she said.

The PCI started operations in Cebu City by hiring four registered nurses working from their home in 2000.

60 EMPLOYEES

She said at present, the PCI has grown to 60 employees with its first 26 employees composed of lawyers, registered nurses, sales and administrative staff.

The increasing number of employees to handle more clients has prompted the company to open the office at J Blocks Building in barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

Malaza said that they expect the number of employees to continue increasing especially since the firm is extending its services to more US states next year.

PINOY PAL’S ADVICE

Malaza said that the decision to open their office also came after a Filipino acquaintance convinced PCI president Steve Sussman of investing in Cebu.

Malaza said Sussman’s friend said Cebu is a good ground for business with enough infrastructure to support the company especially in terms of IT, surplus of medical professionals especially Nursing and Law graduates. /Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap