TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN- On October 06, 2021, DILG Region 02 carried out a virtual seminar on Strengthening the Role of Local Government Units (LGUs) in handling the Hotline 8888 service line.
With the end goal of intensifying the Local Governments’ knowledge and functions in handling the Hotline 8888, the Legal Unit, particularly the 8888 Focal Team, initiated the said activity with participants from the DILG Provincial Offices, and LGUs across the region.
Dir. Bernadette B. Casinabe, 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Center Head, and Mr. Alexis Bituaran, 8888 Focal Person, both from the Office of the President, were invited as the resource speakers to the activity.
DILG Regional Director, Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., in his message, said that ours is a republican government, and consequently, the people have the voice and power in this kind of government.
“It is the people whom we serve by being matatag at mahusay in all our endeavors which is geared towards public service. Having the 8888 hotline service line is a great avenue for the people to air their grievances and voice out their concerns or complaints, so that the government, in its part, could determine and solve their queries at the earliest possible time,” he added.
Dir. Casinabe, during her discussion, highlighted Executive Order No. 06, s. 2016 which Instituted the 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Hotline and established the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.
She also emphasized the significance of the 72-hour period in coming up with resolutions for hotline complaints received through calls and text messages.
“Once the 8888 focal person of the department receives the endorsed concern or request as reflected in the 8888 portal, the 72-hour period runs from such time until the same has been endorsed to the concerned LGU, permanent and focal persons, or office. Thereafter, the latter is mandated to take necessary steps and let the regional office know of any concrete and specific actions taken to solve the complaint within the specified time,” she said.
Mr. Alexis Bituaran, for his part, underscored the process flow of the Hotline 8888. He said that inside the 8888 portal, the process, referral, requests for reversion, and recommendations for closing take place.
He added that each concerned 8888 focal person should provide feedback on concrete and specific actions undertaken within the given 72-hour period, whih turn would be reflected from the portal by the immediate 8888 focal person in the regional office.
Meanwhile, DILG and LGU participants from the actively rendered suggestions and have raised their respective queries in relation to the implementation of the hotline service line.
DILG-Cagayan Provincial Director, Ruperto B. Maribbay, Jr., for one, suggested that the period be extended as the the 72-hour period is such a short time considering that complaints pass through different levels.
The DILG Region 02 will continue to intensify the knowledge of the LGUs and 8888 focal persons, and to consolidate related concerns and matters for a more responsive Hotline 8888 service.
(SOURCE: BK LEGAL COORDINATOR DIANNE HANNALY B. AQUINO)
