CITY OF MATI LAUNCHES REGIONAL EMERGENCY CALL CENTER PATROL 117
2/18/2010
by Neela G. DualloCity of Mati, Davao Oriental – The City of Mati unraveled another history on February 10, 2010 when it launched the Regional Emergency Call Center Patrol 117, paving the way for Mati to be the regional hub for the said emergency response center, designed to save lives and properties brought by crimes and calamities.
Beaming with pride was City of Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat who proclaimed herself as the first call center agent in the city, as people, particularly barangay officials would call her anytime of the day to ask for assistance in times of need.
“I accepted the big responsibility of Patrol 117 because I see the need to have one. The beauty of Patrol 117 is giving expeditious response to cases of emergency in just a matter of minutes. In this way, the people can see that the local government is working for them,” she explained.
Dept. of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Peace and Order Melchor Rosales who graced the launching was happy with Mati now the hub of the Patrol 11 in the region.
“Despite the treacherous towareds Mati’s citihood, but the local government of Mati did not stop a moment in delivering the services to the people. It continuously provides support to peace and order elements, and most importantly, they accepted the challenge of being the center of the emergency response system in the region. Through the Patrol 117, we can prevent loss of lives, properties, and livelihood brought by crimes and disasters,” he said.
This was the reason why Rosales was very happy to welcome the Mayor, and the barangay officials when they came to Manila in the first week of February for the hands-on seminar on the Patrol 117. With the seminar, the barangay officials now have the knowledge on the operation of Patrol 117.
Rosales said that the system is very reliable since it is computer-based and it has been proven with the success stories in the other parts of the country.
“I want to hear stories from Mati, of how Patrol 117 was able to help save lives, and help evade damage to properties and livelihood. So, I encourage the people of Mati to make Patrol 117 their emergency hotline.,” he added.
With Patrol 117, Matinians, as well as neighboring municipalities and provinces can now call the hotline, and expect response in seven (7) minutes.
“That is the essence of Patrol 117. It aims to give unified service, one quick response to emergency within seven minutes, the reason why it is called 117, said City of Mati Fire Marshall Alex pamaybay.
The Bureau of Fire Protection was tasked to lead the operation of the emergency response system, with the Phil. Nat’l Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
“Our men already have undergone training for the Patrol 117, and we plan to make it a series of training to really ensure full comprehension of the system and success of its operation,” he said.
Pamaybay will also make a follow through with the inputs learned by the barangay officials from their seminar training in Manila .
Patrol 117 is composed of computer units with a mother base computer, capable to recording incoming communications, and communications for transmission.
Cognizant of the fact that not all the areas of Mati have telephone lines, the next move now is for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) to make negotiations with the cellular networks (Smart, Globe, and SUN) so the people can call patrol 117 using their cellular phones.
And to really serve its purpose, for areas with no telephone lines and network signal, the plan now it so purchase handheld radios so it can also be used for the emergency response system.
The city government of Mati is also grateful to two persons who played pivotal roles in the realization of Patrol 117.
Patrol 117 could not have created another history for Mati if not for former Congressman and now Vice-Governor Mayo Almario who persistently urged the local government of Mati to comply all the necessary requirements for the system, and the late Mayor Francisco Rabat who gladly complied to the requirements, that was continued by his successor, Mayor Michelle Rabat, with the legislation of the Council led by Vice-Mayor Cesar de Erio.
Attending the launching were members of the City Council, barangay officials, the different rescue groups (DREAMS, DOSMART, and Kabalikat Civicom) now enormous part of the operation of the system, Philippine Coast Guard Mati Station Commander Lt. Ramil Palabrica, Board Member Lito Macatabog, and Board Member Tina Yu representing Gov. Corazon Malanyaon.