DND launches Text 2920 program to hear complaints of public

By Ronron
March 26, 2007

The Philippine Defense department launched on Monday its TXT 2920 program to provide the public and its stakeholders the medium for their complaints and other concerns.

Tied with the privately-owned Bidshot Wireless Services, the department’s program will allow anyone to get their messages to Defense officials and offices by texting “DND (space) (message)” to 2920. The service is available to Smart and Globe subscribers.

“DND TXT 2920 puts the DND in a pro-active mode, inviting citizens to work with us. This they can do by reporting community concerns, potential problems and even possible solutions to realities on the ground,” Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. said.

“This is connectivity for accountability and responsiveness,” he added.

Bidshot Wireless Services is not charging the Defense department for the services. It will instead earn from the P2.50 per text that is charged against the sender of the message.

Brian Zialcita, product development manager of Bidshot, said his company will get 30 percent of P2.50, while either Smart or Globe will get the remaining 70 percent.

Ebdane said the program can definitely be used in the government’s anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism campaigns as it could invite the public’s cooperation to deter any attacks or pinpoint the whereabouts of different threat groups.

“DND TXT 2920 serves the myriad concerns of the DND. It is a direct line for the Human Security Act to be more vibrant and interactive, with an open avenue for reports from all over the country. It is a secure channel for Human Rights complaints, with immediate access to decision-makers. It is also another means for ensuring transparency in the AFP Modernization Program, reiterating our resolve to push our reforms forward. It is a one-on-one venue for our veterans and other constituents to talk to the DND, and know that they will get a response,” Ebdane said./DMS