Quezon City Hall and the Civil Service Commission inaugurated yesterday a pilot text messaging service that would connect residents with local government officials at the touch of a mobile phone button.
"We’re just a text message away," said Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. as he assisted CSC chairwoman Karina David in formally launching the Text CSC project during yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at City Hall.
The mayor said the city is honored that it had been chosen as a pilot site for the project in cooperation with Globe Telecom, which was represented in the ceremonies by Rodolfo Salalima, vice president for corporate and regulatory affairs of the firm.
Belmonte said his constituents may now send inquiries, complaints or suggestions through text messages. "They can sent their text messages to 0917-8398272, a direct line to the city’s Administrative Management Office," said the mayor. "The office will serve as the super call center where `text mates’ are on standby."
He said the text messages will be immediately forwarded for immediate action to concerned departments and offices of City Hall.
The CSC chief said her office will train personnel who will run the center, as well as equip it with fax machines, telephone hotlines and mobile phones.
"Text CSC is anchored on the Mamamayan Muna’s (Citizens First) objective of providing the public with a tool for redress of grievances against inefficient public service," said David, adding that it is patterned after the US-based Rescue 911.– Romel Bagares