Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.In a span of three months, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 assisted over 20,000 clients who aired their grievances and concerns regarding the implementation of the directives and measures against COVID-19 in local government units.
As of June 24, the DILG-7 Emergency Operations Center received 20,087 messages from different platforms.
Of the total number, 14,347 messages were received thru the office’s hotline number, 5,043 messages from its Facebook page, 172 messages from the Intranet, 343 calls, and 182 walk-in clients.
It was on March 23 when DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela ordered the reactivation of the Emergency Operations Center to better serve the public in the time of crisis.
DILG-7 partnered with E-Sat Pilipinas Teknik and launched its Emergency Hotline Number, 09127208913, wherein the public can raise their issues and complaints against local officials.
Among the concerns and issues raised by clients include peace and order matters; non-observance of social distancing; protocols for the Locally Stranded Individuals; interzonal and intrazonal movement of people; and the distribution of Social Amelioration Program financial assistance, relief assistance, and quarantine passes.
The regional office also received numerous appreciation messages from its satisfied clients.
After a month of test period, the office also launched the hotline numbers of the sub-regional offices in the region to directly assist the public within their jurisdiction.
Clients are asked to text their names, exact address, and detailed concerns to DILG-7’s text-only hotline numbers; 09615234239 for Cebu Province; 09462517436 for Bohol Province; 09380698252 for Negros Oriental Province; 09489776193 for Siquijor Province; 09489811246 for Cebu City; 09489817400 for Lapu-Lapu City; and 09489817331 for Mandaue City.
DILG-7 also catered to the concerns related to COVID-19 raised by the netizens through the official Facebook page, DILG VII.
These efforts initiated by the regional office are intended to provide an avenue for the public to air their grievances and refer them to the proper authorities for proper action.
Director Trovela said the initiative aims to monitor the performance of officials in the battle against the global pandemic.
“The hotline would provide the right information about directives of the government to combat COVID-19. While citizens are watchful of the activities of their leaders, this platform will keep the officials on their toes,” he said.
The rise in messages received by DILG-7 hotline indicated that the public has become aware of this program that can be used for seeking assistance during this pandemic.
Director Trovela said the influx of messages comes with greater challenge for the office to raise the bar in providing faster and better response to the clients./JMD
