BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran appeals to the public to stop “stigmatizing” and discriminating against call center agents.
“The Business Processing Outsourcing industry has transformed into one of the lifeblood[s] of the Philippine economy especially in Bacolod City,” Familiaran said.
He added that any act of discrimination by means of threat, violence, or intimidation is considered grave coercion, citing Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code.
The act, the vice-mayor said, is punishable by the imprisonment of six months and a day to six years.
Discriminating against BPO workers, when this causes emotional distress, would also fall under unjust vexation, Familiaran added.
This has a penalty of one day to 30 days of imprisonment or a fine ranging from P1000 to P40,000, or both.
