Was there a time when you had to report an accident but
didn't know the police hotline number? Was someone you know in danger yet you
couldn't find the nearest hospital's number in the directory because of panic?
Worry no more. Starting August 1, Hotline 911, an emergency
telephone number, will become operational nationwide.
The hotline number is a result of President Rodrigo
Duterte's order for a quick action/help for every Filipino in times of
distress.
During his term as former Davao
City mayor, the city created a Central
Communications and Emergency
Response Center ,
or what we know today as Davao City Central 911.
The hotline works 24/7, manned by people who act like call
center agents – taking calls and reports.
These staff then verify the reports, and refer these to
nearest proper authorities (e.g. police, hospital) for them to take proper
actions.
If you see an accident or in an emergency situation, all you
need to dial is 911.
In a visit to Davao
City recently, I and some journalists
went to Davao Central 911 as part of the Department of Tourism's Davao familiarization
tour. My colleagues tried to make a call, just to test if the hotline really
works.
It operates through coordinative approach to address concerns
on crime, terrorism, traffic, health, emergency services and disaster risk
reduction through using information, technology and intelligent solutions.
When in an emergency situation in Davao , all it takes is to dial 911 and rest
assured that there is someone to help.
The tour, of course, was for us to have a glimpse of how it
works. But Davao Central 911 was one of the reasons why we appreciate how the
local government takes care of its people. Indeed, 911 was created to provide
protection, security, safety and risk management to Davaoeños.
Now, 911 is no longer just an emergency number in Davao City ;
all Filipinos can now benefit from the service seen as vital in crime
prevention, maintain order and public safety.
Hotline 911 can be accessed any time, regardless of network
provider.
Telecoms giant Globe, however, requested a little more time
from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
According to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, Globe
subscribers can start accessing 911 on August 18. For the meantime, Globe can
provide the Hotline 117, which has the same function, said Cordoba .
At present, Cordoba
said Hotline 911 is being tested. He added that currently, there are 30 people
manning the hotline in Metro Manila, and 15 in Cebu .
In Davao ,
the staff said they block prank callers if they did it for the second or third
time. Cordoba
said they haven’t discussed yet if they are going to block prank callers, but
he highly discourages the public in making prank calls.
The public must also note that Hotline 911 is different from
Hotline 8888, as the latter will be created for public complaints.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=906042
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.