Pasig City: Provincial governors must acquire motorcycles for local police to ensure immediate response to reports through the country’s 911 emergency hotline, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said. In a news release on Saturday, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized the need for new motorcycles to allow the police to swiftly verify the legitimacy of reported incidents, as 60 percent of total reports to 911 are prank calls.
According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla made a request to governors during the 7th General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines in Pasig City on Friday, urging them to invest in motorcycles for police use. He described it as a small but necessary investment to prevent wastage of government resources. Drawing from his experience as Cavite governor, where he acquired 800 police cars to enhance response times, he stressed the importance of logistical support for effective emergency management.
Remulla also assured that the national government would cover all expenses for the launching of the nationwide integrated 911 system. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered budget adjustments to support this initiative. Remulla urged local government units (LGUs) to provide policemen with motorcycles for first-response duties, emphasizing that quick police verification is crucial to determine the legitimacy of emergency calls.
In addition to motorcycles, towns will receive firetrucks and ambulances to facilitate rapid responses during emergencies. Remulla highlighted the necessity of capacitating LGUs to respond effectively to emergency calls, as a 911 system is ineffective without an adequate response mechanism.
The DILG aims to launch the integrated 911 emergency response system by June in the Greater Manila area, Cebu, and Mindanao. The 911 hotline, which replaced the old Philippine emergency hotline 117 in 2016, handles calls for police assistance, fire incidents, emergency medical aid, search and rescue operations, and situations involving hazardous materials.
