Government sets up anti-red tape hotline

MANILA, Philippines – The Duterte administration has set up a hotline that will allow citizens to report inefficiencies and corruption in government.

The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Hotline was institutionalized through Executive Order 6 signed by the President last Oct. 14.

“There is a need to institutionalize a public complaints hotline involving all agencies of the government and build on existing public feedback mechanisms for the realization of the government’s policy to eradicate red tape and corruption,” President Duterte said in the order.

The 8888 hotline will serve as a mechanism where citizens may report their complaints and grievances on acts of red tape.

Red tape includes complicated transactions and unnecessary procedures that are prone to corrupt practices.

The office of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. would supervise the complaint center. His office has been tasked to work with other agencies for the interconnection and integration of existing feedback mechanisms.

The citizens’ complaint center was also directed to provide other communication channels including text message services, email, website and social networking sites.

The complaint center will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, excluding national holidays and work suspensions. The complaint will be referred to the concerned government agency for appropriate action.

Concerned state agencies are required to come up with a “concrete and specific” action within 72 hours or three days from receipt of complaint.