Palace official: Public support needed for government reforms

MANILA, Philippines — The government needs public support to reform its agencies, a Palace official said Friday.

Office of the Cabinet Secretary Assistant Secretary Jonas Soriano told Philstar.com that it is not only the government who should make an effort to change.

"People and the organization of people need to also push for change," Soriano said.

He said that vigilance and pressure from the people will force the government entities to move, and encouraged the public to report problems through hotline 8888.

Soriano disclosed that since the government launched hotline 8888 in August 2016, they receive 200-300 calls and text messages daily. He said the office also entertains about the same number of walk-ins, coming with different kinds of issues.

Davao's emergency response number 911, as well as citizens complain number 8888, were launched nationwide on August 1.

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While the 911 is for emergencies, the 8888 hotline is for citizens' complaints against government agencies.

The 8888 hotline may be used to report corrupt officials, underperforming government personnel and unfinished government projects.

"Kung kailangan tanggalin, tatanggalin. 'Yan ang sabi ng pangulo e," Soriano said.

Soriano said that citizens might be pressured to stay quiet about corruption but reiterated that the public has to make a choice whether or not they will report.

"The point is we will encourage it. We will put in the mechanism for it, but you also have to play your part," Soriano said and assured the public that they will protect the identities of citizens who lodge complaints.

"We make the change now. We have to," Soriano added.