A distorted representation

As I was editing stories yesterday for today’s issue, one article caught my attention and, eventually, my discontent. It was about an announcement made by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA) which, unfortunately (and in my utter disbelief), won a seat as a partylist group in congress.

Through the group’s representative, Arnel Ty, the LPGMA said it has jacked up prices of LPG by P3 a kilo. This price adjustment was distinct from the P3 a kilo adjustment they made last Wednesday.

Then it struck me like lightning.

How in hell did this group end up in congress supposedly to represent a marginalized sector? The margins these guys know are their profit margins, for heavens’ sake! LPGMA was among the partylist groups that were closely associated to the previous administration.

The question that kept popping out my mind since yesterday was: Who are these people really representing?

Many answers came about and none of them was “LPG consumers.” For how can LPG retailers and marketers represent LPG consumers when their interests are opposing? Businessmen tend to jack up rates to increase profit while consumers- already reeling from burgeoning prices of basic goods- tighten their belts further to make ends meet.

As Rep. Ty himself puts it, their “member companies” implemented the price adjustments that translated to an increase- again- of P33 per 11-kg LPG tank, bringing their prices to a high of P640 to P650 per tank.

Clearly, this group does not count in “consumers” among its “member companies” and I really couldn’t imagine how this group stands to protect the interest of each Juan and Juana in the House of Representatives. This shows one of the weaknesses of our partylist system. If similar groups make it to congress in the future, surely we will be in for some serious trouble.

With LPGMA in congress, lowering LPG prices will purely be wishful thinking.

*****

The Philippines has officially grabbed from India the title “call center capital of the world” as more investments are poured in continuously by business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the local scene. Latest estimates indicate that the country’s BPO industry has surpassed India’s by at least $200 million.

Malacanang was elated by this recent feat and President Aquino ordered government funds added to the already growing coffers of the industry. Hopefully, some 60,000 call center posts will be offered next year.

Thanks to Filipinos’ much vilified “colonial mentality.” Somehow, this affinity to western cultures worked to our advantage as Pinoy call center agents speak better English although paid lower than their foreign counterparts.

I have only one concern. It was reported that cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome spiked among young urban professionals, including call center agents who, according to studies, practice casual and unsafe sex.

This problem should be addressed the soonest.