Seeking to bring its services closer to Filipinos, the Philippine government is airing a weekly television program called as “Digong 8888 Hotline” on state-owned People’s Television (PTV) this July, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, July 3.
In a press release, the Palace said this new program “aims to bridge the gap between government agencies and the people through segments that will directly address the ordinary Filipino’s concerns on various government services.”
It added that President Rodrigo Duterte may also appear on the show to “personally answer and respond to calls and questions.”
An agency will also be featured per week to address questions from viewers through field interviews and social media. Case studies from the Presidential Complaint Center (PCC) and 8888 files will also be highlighted. The PCC is a frontline desk of the Office of the President that serves as a liaison to various state agencies and departments on requests for assistance and information, complaints, and grievances.
The show, which will be aired every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m., will be hosted by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, Assistant Secretary Kris Roman of the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, and PTV news anchor Trixie Jaafar. It will premiere next week, July 11.
In 2016, the President signed Executive Order (EO) No. 6, establishing 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center. Under the EO, the hotline number will serve as a “mechanism where citizens may report their complaints and grievances on acts of red tape as defined under RA (Republic Act) No. 9485 and other relevant laws, and/or corruption of any national government agency, government-owned or -controlled corporation, government financial institution, and other instrumentalities of the government.”
The Office of the Executive Secretary is managing the hotline which operates 24/7.