EDITORIAL - A fly in the ointment

A recent study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute and funded by a grant from the Population Commission showed that "more call center agents have abnormal sleeping habits, are habitual drinkers, use illegal drugs, and engage in risky sexual activities."

The information, which offers an uneasy glimpse into this "job-to-have" among the growing army of the nation's young, is certainly not new. Every now and then, tales of titillation make their escape from the esoteric confines of I.T. hubs to enliven the boring lives outside.

But because this was an official study undertaken by one of the most credible and highly respected institutions in the country, with a definite goal of looking into the "Lifestyle and Reproductive Health Issues of Young Professionals," it came with a resounding wallop.

Surprisingly, however, while the study was undertaken with definite goals in mind, all of them meant to positively address emerging social issues in the computer age, Vice Mayor Michael Rama entered the picture to say the study may have unfairly depicted call center employees.

Wait a minute. The study was not a random survey over a broad spectrum of jobs and job holders. The study was very specific --- lifestyles of young urban professionals in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Within this context, there was no way of avoiding specific mention of call center agents. And since the findings of the study specifically centered on this particular sector, it would on the contrary be most unfair to gloss over the determined facts.

Besides, the identification did not make distinctions between Manila and Cebu so that there would have been no need for Rama to feel protective over his turf. Also, other than naming the sector where the red flag went up, nothing was added or taken away to discredit the study.

It is therefore quite a surprise to find Rama striding into the picture, unless of course this has got something to do with his political plans and how the young, especially those in the I.T. sector and their huge numbers, can positively affect such plans.

But his unsolicited emergence into the picture can actually backfire. For why is Rama seemingly defending a sector that has just been caught in the crosshairs of a defining study by reputable organizations when in fact he should be hailing the study for its positive findings.