Bad gov’t service? Text 0908-8816565

MANILA, Philippines - Reporting and complaining about inefficiency, discourtesy, and even red tape in government offices is now a text message away.

Since almost every Filipino has a cellular phone, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced yesterday the launching of a faster way for the public to air their grievances and expect action through short messaging system (SMS).

CSC chairman Francisco Duque III said citizens may now access the government’s central helpline, dubbed Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB), not just by a phone call but also by sending a text message to 0908-8816565.

He bared that opening additional channels or means for reaching the complaints center will make it easier and more convenient for the public to complain about inefficiency, discourtesy, and fixing in government services.

“Through the Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB), we aim to engage citizens to be the primary drivers of the kind of service they want to get from their civil servants,” Duque said.

Last Sept. 27, the CSC, with members of the CCB steering committee from the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), launched the program.

For its initial implementation, six agencies including the CSC, National Computer Center, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Health, and the DTI have electronically interconnected their call centers to the CCB.

The CCB is accessible nationwide by dialing 1-6565 using PLDT, Smart, and Digitel landlines, Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with each call to charge P5.00 plus VAT.