LACSON TO DILG: ACCOUNT FOR P568.1-M
FOR NON-WORKING '117' CALL CENTERS

Some P568.1 million in taxpayers' money funded the operation of at least eight non-working call centers of the government's "Patrol 117" hotline in 2008, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson bared.

Citing a Commission on Audit report for 2008, Lacson said that of the 16 networked regional call centers that cost government P1.26 billion, only eight regional call centers were functional.

"As per the COA report, the money mentioned was spent on these call centers. If they are not functioning how come they spent that amount for the call centers? Eight regional call centers did not function, yet more than P500 million as reported to COA was spent for the purpose. Saan ginastos pag di nag-function ang call centers (Where did the money for the non-working call centers go)?" he said while interpellating the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government, which operates the "117" hotline system.

There are presently 10 operational regional call centers, including those in Cagayan, Bataan, Palawan, Iloilo, Zamboanga City, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Caraga, Benguet and Quezon City.

However, the call centers in other areas were not operational due to damage from calamities, or to high maintenance costs.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, who sponsored the budget of the DILG at the Senate, pointed out the call center for Bicol was destroyed in a typhoon, while that in Eastern Visayas was razed by fire.

In some cases, he said the provincial government is still scouting for a site, while technical and fiscal difficulties hounded a call center in Southern Luzon.

Lacson asked for an explanation from the officials concerned about what he called the "seemingly inappropriate" use of government funds for the call centers.

"I'd like to advise the DILG officials to refer to 2008 COA report and kindly comply with the findings or observations made by COA regarding the agency concerned," he said.