MINALIN -- Mayor Edgar Flores here cried foul over the alleged discrimination of an internet service provider to its subscribers in this town.
Flores shared through his official Facebook account the advisory posted by Converge ICT Solutions Inc. on its Sto. Tomas business center, which read: "Clients from Sto. Domingo, Sto. Rosario and San Nicolas Minalin are advised to pay bills through our BAYAD Center for the safety of our personnel. Thank you."
The three mentioned barangays are where the confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in this town were recorded.
Flores strongly condemned the said act and described it as "highly discriminatory," "inhumane" and "unlawful."
He said the advisory allegedly singled out the people of Minalin and has "severely affected the pride and dignity" of the residents of the said barangays.
"The act is highly discriminating as there are other municipalities that are experiencing cases of the pandemic and you chose to single out our town to such debasing treatment which is contrary to existing norms of law," the mayor noted in his letter to the management.
Flores also wrote a letter to Sto. Tomas Mayor Gloria Ronquillo, who has jurisdiction over the said establishment, to request the revocation of permit of the company's Sto. Tomas office.
Isolated incident
Meanwhile, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. said in a statement that the said incident is an isolated case.
"The unofficial statement placed in the said branch was merely an improvisation of an employee and does not reflect, in any way, shape or form, the sentiments of our organization," the statement read.
It added that the management is dealing with the matter internally and will take the proper action to further educate Converge personnel with regards to the sensitivity of such careless messages.
The company's President and Chief Executive Officer Dennus Uy also reaffirmed that he deeply regrets what happened, given that his vision for the organization is to be all about the people.
He assured the public again that this is an unfortunately unique case as it does not figure in the company’s protocols in both service and safety.
Moving forward, the organization will be collectively more focused on ensuring that the needs of its subscribers are better handled, managed and taken care of, the statement furthered.
"Rest assured that Converge ICT remains dedicated to being of service to our fellow Cabalens, and to everyone, everywhere, for that matter--especially during these very challenging times. We work hard so that all Filipinos can experience better," it said.