Call center agent dead in mishap on way to work

BACOLOD CITY—A call center agent was killed on Monday after she was hit by a van as she crossed a pedestrian lane to get to her office in Transcom City on the Araneta Highway here.

Tricia Abat, 38, of Talisay City and an employee of Transcom City, was heading for work when a Mitsubishi L-300 van hit her past 7 p.m.

PO2 Orlando Caporal, traffic investigator, said the victim was dragged by the vehicle about 15 meters from the point of impact. The windshield of the van was shattered by the impact.

Driver Leon Chio Go Ang, 50, resident of Barangay Tangub in Bacolod, was detained by police and faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Police quoted Ang as saying he was heading south of the Araneta Highway and did not see Abat crossing the street because the area was dimly lit.

The Philippines is host to a growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry that has led to the establishment of dozens of call centers in mostly urban locations.

The BPO industry has created thousands of jobs that officials said helped bring down the unemployment rate.