More responsive 117 operators sought

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) –  With the ongoing upgrades and expansion of the 117 Call Center, Mayor Beng Climaco has challenged the team manning the facility to be more responsive following proper protocols in emergency response.

In a ceremony marking the forging of a memorandum of agreement between stakeholders for the enhancement of the 117 facility as well as the inauguration of the center at the Sunken Garden July 24, the chief executive asked the composite team manning operations of the hotline to give out optimum response specific to circumstances.

“We want them to be accommodating and responsive because I already relieved some people in the past because of lack of protocol measures that have to be followed in emergency response,” the mayor disclosed.

Mayor Beng Climaco, DILG Regional Director Atty. Faizal Abutazil, PLDT business head Jimmy Chua and 5th Special Action Force .

She said the local government in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 5th Special Action Battalion (SAB)-Special Action Force of the PNP and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), is serious in its efforts to upgrade the 117 call center to be more receptive and quick to respond during crisis or emergency operations.

Other than the upgrades and expansion of the center’s existing technology and communication systems, the mayor is also coordinating with the PLDT for a vanity number that will also synchronize responses from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).  She said other models will also be looked into but the purpose ultimately is to have one number that will respond to all types of emergencies.

On Thursday, the mayor formally entered into a MOA with various stakeholders paving the way for the upgrade and expansion of the 117 call center.  Other signatories to the MOA were DILG Regional Director Atty. Faizal Abutazil, PLDT Business Head Jimmy Chua and 5th SAB Commander PCI Reynald Ariño.

“Today is a very important occasion, this is a dream come true. We really want to intensify our response and support that is given for the upgrading of 117,” the mayor said in her brief message during the ceremony.

She thanked all the partners that made the project a reality. “We want to make this responsive to all our emergencies”. She also cited the role of District II Cong. Lilia Nuño in facilitating the MOA signing activity and Atty. Edward Fronda of the City Legal Office for coordinating efforts with the stakeholders. (Sheila Covarrubias) 090114