The Baguio Smart City Command Center’s (SC3) accomplishment report for Jan. 1 to Aug, 31 revealed the number of prank calls to the Baguio 911 emergency hotline has dramatically declined as compared to those made during the same period last year.
During the regular management committee meeting of city officials on Sept. 12, Management Information Technology Division (MITD) Information Systems Analyst II Adam Bert Lacay said 2,670 prank calls were made during the eight-month period this year as compared to a whopping 9,788 in 2022 or a decrease of 72.72 percent.
Last year, two persons were charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly making a series of prank calls to Baguio 911 and cases of unjust vexation were filed against them for “irritating, disturbing and annoying numerous prank calls on the line intended for emergencies and contingencies.”
They also faced charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1727 “Declaring as unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information.”
Earlier, Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned that calls made through Baguio 911, which started operations in October 2021, can be traced and tagged and that perpetrators are liable under applicable laws.
The SC3 has three main programs and activities: smart city operations; research, maintenance and project development; and general administrative support. – Gaby B. Keith
