Globe subscribers won’t be happy with the thought of paying more, but if it’s a guarantee that there is someone who will respond during an emergency, then maybe, the extra cost is going to be worth it.
The telecom giant guaranteed that it is ready to start transmitting voice calls for the 911 number starting Aug 1. However, it comes with an additional PHP5 per call, Inquirer reports.
Why the additional cost? To discourage pranksters from fooling around with the new emergency hotline.
“As suggested by the government to discourage prank calls, we would also like to inform our customers that those calling the hotlines will incur regular voice charges plus an additional PHP5/call for those calling the 911 hotline,” said Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo in a statement.
Malacañang earlier said it will launch its citizen complaints and emergency hotlines in August.
This is part of President Duterte’s campaign promise to bring Davao City’s world-class 911 emergency response center on a national scale.
“As a telecommunications provider, Globe recognizes the importance of such communication tool for the government to effectively carry out its initiatives for the benefit of the public,” Castelo said.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked pranksters to stay away from the new 911 emergency hotline.
Patrol 117, 911’s predecessor, received an average of 57 hang and prank calls per hour last year.
Other telecommunication companies have not released a statement about the emergency hotline yet.
