In an effort to promote nationwide safety and convenience through technology, the Philippine National Police and Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation have collaborated to launch Samsung 321, a mobile service application that provides a database of national institutions and facilities users can contact in case of emergencies.
The app makes use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine an individual’s location, and then directs him, driving instructions included, to the nearest fire station, police station, hospital, or motor assistance provider via Google Maps. It also provides contact information for these facilities, as well as national disaster hotlines and nearby Samsung service centers for mobile products and appliances.
Once installed on a smartphone, the service app can be launched through the device’s app page, dialer, or emergency call button. The app covers over 84 locations nationwide, including Batangas, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, and Palawan, besides the National Capital Region.
“We at Samsung constantly aim to innovate and take steps to enhance the lives of our consumers,” says Julius Arguson, Product Engineering and Technical Compliance Head for IT & Mobile. “For mobile, this is that step. Apart from convenience, we want Samsung mobile devices to be an instrument for people to feel safe and secure wherever they may be. To be able to do that, it’s important that we work hand-in-hand with institutions like the PNP, who share the same goals and objectives.”
“We are happy to be working with Samsung for this project,” says PDIR Napoleon C. Taas, Director of PNP Directorate for ICT Management. “We are grateful for their support for national safety. We are looking forward to releasing the app to the public and are confident that it will be a great help to many Filipinos, and a staple in their smartphones.”
Samsung 321 is available for download from the Google Play Store. It will also be pre-installed in select Samsung smartphone models.