Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday pledged to deliver faster emergency responses, create safer communities, and provide stronger local governance services with its proposed PHP332.5-billion budget for 2027. This proposal marks an increase of PHP22 billion from the current year's allocation.
According to Philippines News Agency, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that the proposed budget would translate into concrete services reaching communities at the barangay level. Remulla assured that each peso allocated will result in decisive actions and tangible public services for every Filipino, as highlighted during the Senate Finance Subcommittee J hearing.
Senator Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito, who led the hearing, inquired about the expected outcomes from the additional funding for DILG and its affiliated agencies, particularly concerning community safety measures. Remulla responded by highlighting improvements in the Unified 911 system, which has received over 2 million calls in its first year, averaging about 60,000 calls per day. The response time has improved significantly, now ranging from three to seven minutes.
Remulla noted that the project is 90 percent complete, with nine out of ten target call centers already established. These centers are designed to accommodate different local languages, ensuring emergency calls are geolocated and answered in the caller's native tongue, including Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Waray, Visayan, and Tausug.
The DILG is also proposing an allocation of PHP711 million for emergency response vehicles, focusing on scooters and small vehicles suitable for navigating narrow streets. Remulla pointed out that scooters are practical as most police personnel can operate them, and small vehicles are necessary for areas where larger patrol cars face accessibility issues.
Furthermore, the Philippine National Police continues to address anti-crime efforts, reporting a notable decline in crimes, particularly concerning physical injuries and rape cases. The DILG has also engaged in discussions with Roblox developers and sought assistance from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to limit children's access to online games featuring chat functions that could expose minors to harmful influences.
On enforcement matters, Remulla explained that DILG's confidential funds are allocated for intelligence-gathering, specifically in identifying owners of illegal firearms. The department aims to fully utilize these resources by the end of the year, with an estimated 2 million loose firearms in the country. Proposed amendments to the firearms law would hold licensed owners accountable if their firearms are used in crimes by others.
The DILG's 2027 proposal aims to maintain programs for peace and order, public safety, local government capacity-building, disaster preparedness, anti-drug operations, jail management, fire protection, youth development, Muslim Filipino affairs, and gender equality. The department reported a 96-percent obligation rate and a 95-percent disbursement rate in 2025, and a 55-percent obligation rate with a nearly 96.7-percent disbursement rate as of mid-2026.
