THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday launched the nationwide Unified 911 emergency response system, a single hotline that replaces more than 30 local emergency numbers across the country.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla led officials in launching the 911 system, which will be implemented in collaboration with PLDT, at a national command center inside PLDT’s office in Sampaloc, Manila.
“Today, we have one number (to call in case of emergency), and that’s 911…Today, we show that it is possible that the Philippines can have a unified system to respond to people’s needs,” said Remulla.
Before the launch, Remulla said local government units maintained 35 numbers to entertain emergency calls, on top of other emergency numbers that the PNP and barangays maintain.
Remulla noted allegations of corruption against government officials in relation to the anomalous flood control projects. He said people are asking if this is where their taxes go.
“Today, when they see their withholding tax in their salary and they have an emergency, they will say, now I know where my money went. This is where (911 system) their money went,” said Remulla.
“We bid this project without Wawao builders or SYMS or Discaya,” said Remulla, referring to contractors linked to the irregularities in the flood control projects.
“We went through with a project with a trusted brand called PLDT. PLDT is not just a brand, it is a promise – a promise of good service, a promise of innovation, a promise of integrity. And that’s why we went with PLDT,” said Remulla.
The DILG earlier said the country operated “fragmented hotlines” in the past years, leaving callers unsure whom to reach and causing uneven response times.
Under the unified 911, the DILG said every emergency call will be routed through a single, integrated network that links the PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and local government units.
“This service is free, available 24/7, and language-sensitive, designed to understand and respond to calls in Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, Tausug and other Philippine languages,” the DILG said in a statement yesterday.
“The target response time is five minutes, with trained call takers ready to calm and assist callers in crisis,” it added.
BFP Chief Director Jesus Fernandez said the bureau stands with other partner agencies in a “unified mission” which is to “ensure that every Filipino in every corner of this nation has one trusted number to call for help, that is 911.
“It is a promise that when danger strikes, help will never be fragmented, delayed, or divided. Instead, government agencies, including the Bureau of Fire Protection, will move as one, united, swift, and reliable.”
Fernandez said the 911 system is “more than a technology” but a “promise that when danger strikes, help will never be fragmented, delayed, or divided.
“Instead, government agencies, including the Bureau of Fire Protection, will move as one, united, swift, and reliable,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez assured the public that the BFP is “fully committed” to the system.
“We will not only bring trucks and hoses. We will bring courage, compassion, and competence. We will strengthen our preparedness, sharpen our skills, and deepen our dedication so that every call answered through 911 is met with action, hope, and life-saving service,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez said the BFP stands shoulder to shoulder with the PNP and other agencies in responding to calls for help.
He said they are “ready to serve, ready to save as one team for the Filipino people.”
“Let this be our solemn pledge that no Filipino will ever stand alone in the face of danger. The BFP, together with our partners, will always be there, undoubted, unyielding, and united,” added Fernandez.
