COMMAND CENTER. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (3rd from left) leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the launch of the One Hospital Command Center at the MMDA Headquarters in Makati City on Aug. 6, 2020. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday (Aug. 24, 2020) requested PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. to allot additional direct lines for the command center. (Photo courtesy of MMDA)
MANILA – Malacañang on Monday sought for additional lines for the government’s One Hospital Command Center (OHCC) following concerns that its direct lines have been difficult to reach.
During his regular virtual presser, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque called the owners of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. to personally make the request for additional lines.
Roque asked PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and Globe Chief Operating Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala if they could provide additional lines for OHCC.
Zobel de Ayala vowed to assist the OHCC, saying he would get back to Roque regarding the requirements.
“How many lines would you need? Can we have someone from Globe text you, Mr. Secretary? I’ll have someone contact you right away. It depends on the requirement, but we’ll do our best to assist you,” Zobel de Ayala told Roque.
On the other hand, Pangilinan was quick to promise additional lines for OHCC.
“We will do that right away,” Pangilinan said.
Roque then gave them the contact details of Health Undersecretary and Treatment Czar Leopoldo "Bong" Vega, who leads the One Hospital Command Center, for proper coordination.
Prior to making the phone call, Roque asked Vega if additional lines would help the OHCC attend to callers’ needs for efficiently.
“Kailangan ba ho natin ng mas maraming linya para ngayon pa lang po sa press briefing natin matawagan po natin si Mr. Pangilinan at Mr. Zobel (Do we need additional lines so that we can call Mr. Pangilinan and Mr. Zobel during our press briefing)?” Roque asked Vega who he was speaking to via Zoom.
Vega admitted that the OHCC’s dedicated lines were difficult to access.
“Tama ho ‘yan Sec. Harry kasi mahirap talaga kumuha ng linya ngayon. Ang ginagamit po namin yung mga cellphones lang po. Pero kung may fixed lines po, mas maganda (That’s right, Sec. Harry because it’s really difficult to get lines now. What we’re using now are cellphones. But it would be better if we had fixed lines),” Vega said.
The OHCC is meant to provide coordinated care for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, allowing for transfers, referrals, and to provide medical direction between hospitals.
It is located at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Gymnasium in its headquarters in Guadalupe, Makati City.
Currently, the center can be accessed by using the Pure Force Citizens application which can be downloaded in Google Play store and App Store for free.
It can also be accessed by calling its dedicated lines: 02-886-505-00, 0915-777-7777 and 0919-977-3333 or through Quick Response (QR) codes that the public can scan. (PNA)
