The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was recently recognized as the most responsive agency by the state-run People’s Television Network’s “Digong 8888 Hotline” program.
"DSWD was recognized for keeping its line open to accommodate interviews that responded to and resolved complaints and requests for assistance from clients,” it said in a statement issued Tuesday night.
In a simple awarding rites on July 29 at the DSWD Central Office, DSWD Undersecretary Danilo G. Pamonag received the plague of appreciation from Digong 8888 Hotline Producer John Louise Osuyos and Associate Producer Adrien Matienzo.
“Programs such as Digong 8888 Hotline exemplifies the sincerity and commitment of the government to remain responsive to the concerns of the Filipino people,” Pamonag said, even as he thanked Digong 8888 Hotline for the recognition, on behalf of DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista.
"The DSWD guarantees to extend its support to the program and ensures that all requests for assistance and information, as well as complaints and grievances, will immediately be attended to,” he added.
As a national government’s 24/7 public service hotline, Digong 8888 Hotline aims to address queries or grievances from the public directed to government agencies, bureaus, and offices. The program’s anchors are Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Assistant Secretary Kris Roman, and Trixie Jaafar. The program was launched in July, 2019.
"The Department is grateful for the recognition from Digong 8888 Hotline and will continue to strive hard in bringing the government even closer to the people,” the DSWD said.
The DSWD noted that as of June 30, 2020, it "already resolved" 11,708 tickets from the 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Center, which was created through Executive Order No. 6 signed by President Duterte on October 14, 2016.
"Most of the concerns received by DSWD include requests for financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and livelihood assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), it said.
Also included in the Digong Hotline 8888’s list of Top 5 most responsive government agencies are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Department of Health (DOH), and the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC).