DILG urged to prioritize hiring Cebuano responders

MANILA, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan has urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas (DILG-7) to prioritize hiring Cebuanos as responders for the region’s Emergency 911 Command Center.

King-Chan said it would be beneficial to employ more local residents, noting that the command center is located in Cebu while the majority of the current responders are from Bohol.

The mayor said she raised the concern with DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, requesting that local applicants be given priority in the hiring of responders.

“I requested it from Regional Director Trovela and reiterated during our meeting that those hired as 911 responders should preferably be locals,” King-Chan said.

She added that once the command center opens for civilian operations, she hopes more residents of Lapu-Lapu City will be hired as call center agents so they can easily go home after work rather than stay overnight at the office.

The mayor said applicants from nearby areas such as Mandaue City and Cebu City may also be considered to ensure responders can report to duty on time.

King-Chan raised the proposal during a site visit to the Bureau of Fire Protection Region 7 Office in Barangay Poblacion, where the 911 Command Center is based.

During the visit, the mayor met with FCInsp. Noel Ylanan to get updates on the facility and its services.

“It’s good that we were able to have a dialogue so we could also hear their concerns and needs and determine how the city government can help,” King-Chan said.

Officials shared during the meeting that more than 50 percent of the workforce currently assigned to the 911 Command Center are from Bohol.

King-Chan said the city government is willing to extend assistance to help strengthen the command center’s operations. -- Kristin de Dios/IHM

DILG urged to prioritize hiring Cebuano responders

MANILA, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan has urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas (DILG-7) to prioritize hiring Cebuanos as responders for the region’s Emergency 911 Command Center.

King-Chan said it would be beneficial to employ more local residents, noting that the command center is located in Cebu while the majority of the current responders are from Bohol.

The mayor said she raised the concern with DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, requesting that local applicants be given priority in the hiring of responders.

“I requested it from Regional Director Trovela and reiterated during our meeting that those hired as 911 responders should preferably be locals,” King-Chan said.

She added that once the command center opens for civilian operations, she hopes more residents of Lapu-Lapu City will be hired as call center agents so they can easily go home after work rather than stay overnight at the office.

The mayor said applicants from nearby areas such as Mandaue City and Cebu City may also be considered to ensure responders can report to duty on time.

King-Chan raised the proposal during a site visit to the Bureau of Fire Protection Region 7 Office in Barangay Poblacion, where the 911 Command Center is based.

During the visit, the mayor met with FCInsp. Noel Ylanan to get updates on the facility and its services.

“It’s good that we were able to have a dialogue so we could also hear their concerns and needs and determine how the city government can help,” King-Chan said.

Officials shared during the meeting that more than 50 percent of the workforce currently assigned to the 911 Command Center are from Bohol.

King-Chan said the city government is willing to extend assistance to help strengthen the command center’s operations. -