Dubbed TXT-DENR, the project aims to make the environmental agency accessible to a wider number of people as it provides as a simpler way of getting a direct feedback from the public.
"We are happy to be part of this worthwhile undertaking. Not only does TXT-DENR improve the government’s ability to respond to environmental concerns, it also encourages the participation of the citizenry in various environmental issues," said Rogelio V. Quevedo, Smart head for legal affairs and carrier relations.
Anyone who has a complaint, request or query relating to the DENR only needs to text the DENR-dedicated number 0918-9293367 from any mobile phone. All text messages will then be screened by a special team and forwarded to the Office of the Secretary for immediate action/reply.
With over six million GSM subscribers, the DENR hopes to encourage the Filipino citizenry to participate in the department’s formulation process and its implementation.
For the project, Smart has donated a computer with a Nokia Data Suite connection, a Nokia 6150 cellphone unit with unlimited text and a DENR-dedicated number. Facilities will be augmented depending on the volume of traffic generated by this special service.
The computer connection allows the people from the DENR to view the text messages being sent to the "TXT DENR" number as well as respond to them also through "text."