Q.C. to install emergency line: QC 122

Quezon City (11 December) -- The United States has emergency 911, and our Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has patrol 117. Soon the Quezon City government will have a QC 122.

The City Council has approved Ordinance no. SP 2029, S-2010 which is for establishing an emergency and information help line to be known as QC 122. The measure was authored by Councilor Francisco Calalay, Jr.

The help line called "Hotline ng Bayan" will be under the supervision of the radio communication service of the Office of the City Mayor and will be implemented early next year.

Calalay said it is imperative that the government shall provide effective emergency coordinated response management in cases of immediate risk to life, health, property or environment.

Some functions and responsibilities of the radio communication service are to manage and supervise coordinated rescue, relief and emergency dispatch operations to other units or agencies during disasters, typhoons, fire and calamities, whether man made or natural; to serve as the communication command center during disasters, typhoons, fires and calamities; and to provide a single hotline number that can be easily accessed by QC residents who are in need of emergency assistance and other concerns.

Calalay said that the help line shall be a call center type sub-office manned by well trained agents and supervised by knowledgeable and expert practitioners in the field of medicine, crisis management, public order and safety, fire protection and others.

It will also served as quick access to public information, through operators, on basic services, transactions and dealing with the city government such as applications for permits, clearance, license, assessment and payment of taxes and fees.

It shall likewise receive direct reports from constituents as to their needs and other concerns and bridge them to different agencies or offices concerned for immediate dispatched and information.

Calalay said these value added public services will further encourage citizen participation and be concerned on affairs of the city. The assignment of the three (3) digit special number 122 for the QC government was already approved and granted by the National Telecommunications Commission. (PIA-NCR)