By Brian Campued
Following the preliminary launch of the Unified 911 National Command Center in Manila last September, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) opened its first Regional Command Center in Cebu City on Saturday—allowing for faster, coordinated emergency response for Filipinos in Visayas.
During the launching ceremony at the Cebu Satellite Command Center, DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla noted that before he assumed office, there were 37 local government units (LGUs) which operate their own 911 hotlines on top of 200 numbers handled by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), while “there were no calls anywhere in the country for any ambulance.”
“Today we have one number—we have 911. But irrespective of that, it is not about just the number, it is about being Filipino,” Remulla said, highlighting the features of the Unified 911 system such as being language-inclusive.
The Unified 911 assures fast response to callers needing immediate help, such as crime or threat to security, fire and other related incidents, as well as medical emergencies—in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the safety of families and communities in “Bagong Pilipinas.”
The DILG chief likewise vowed to provide around 200 new patrol cars, motorcycles, and firetrucks in Cebu province to intensify response to 911 calls.
“We will pay as much attention to Cebu as we do pay attention to Metro Manila,” he said.
Along with fire trucks, police motorcycles, and ambulances, the government will also soon deploy long-range drones to patrol the skies of key cities in the country 24/7.
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., for his part, conveyed the PNP’s commitment to improve police response. He said that they would also equip assigned responders with body-worn cameras and radios to ensure real-time monitoring.
“This is our commitment, ang PNP, together with the fire, jail, and several responders ay fully committed to make this 911 work and actually it is working,” Nartatez said. “It will be quick, responsive, [at] reliable, kasi accountable, nakikita po. At ipinapangako po namin na itong response na ito ay tunay na mararamdaman ng mga Bisaya, ng mga Pilipino.”
Cebu Gov. Pamela Barricuatro, meanwhile, assured support for the Unified 911—saying that the system will “greatly” help the province in ensuring coordination and timely response to emergencies as well as stronger connection between frontliners, LGUs, and the people.
“The launch of the Unified 911 system is more than just a new hotline; this is a symbol of coordination, preparedness on the care for every Filipino life,” Barricuatro said.
“Together, let’s make sure that 911 is not just a number, but a promise that someone will always answer,” the local chief executive added. (with report from Jessee Atienza / PTV Cebu)
-jpv
