CIB.O appoints new executive director

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu IT/BPM Organization (CIB.O) has appointed Salvador “Buddy” Villasis as new executive director to oversee the industry as it transitions to new normal.  

Villasis, who also served as an executive director of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), replaced Wilfredo “Jun” Sa-a who took his retirement last year.

Villasis is bringing along with him his wide experience in commerce and development communication; international trainings in trade facilitation and customs operations during his brief stint with the United Nations Trade Point program, as well as trainings in “intellectual property” with IPOPhils and the World Intellectual Property Organization contributed to the realization of CCCI’s appointment as one of the Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSO) in Cebu.

He has over 20 years of progressive experience in international trade consulting, business franchising, distribution, logistics, shipping, intellectual property, investments, portfolio management, and trade facilitation in general. He currently serves as business development consultant and independent director of private companies.

Villasis will be responsible for the daily operations of the organization ensuring that policies, programs and projects are implemented according to the directions set by the organization.

He will oversee budgeting, personnel and strategic planning among other tasks ensuring that the interests of the organization’s members are served effectively in line with CIB.O’s vision that Cebu will be the international choice IT/BPM location for higher value services and to develop and promote the strengths of Cebu and sustain the growth of its IT/BPM industry.

In an interview with Villasis, he said his first assignment is to help organize the upcoming Transformation Summit 2021, an annual industry confab first initiated during the leadership of Saa.

The IT/BPM sector is undergoing transition just like the rest of other industries, but it’s one of the very few sectors that continued to provide jobs amid the pandemic.