Quezon city: All 911 hotlines in 34 cities across the country will be integrated into a unified Emergency 911 system by August, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor 'Jonvic' Remulla announced on Wednesday during his visit to the PNP Command Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the new system will merge local government units' (LGUs) emergency hotlines and closed-circuit television feeds into the DILG's command center. This integration aims to provide faster and more reliable access to life-saving assistance and will cater to the language of the region where a call is made.
Remulla expressed optimism about the new system, stating, "With the new system, I think the PNP (Philippine National Police) will have a better response time and better quality of response." The languages that will be supported include Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, Waray, Bisaya, and Tausug.
The DILG chief also mentioned that the system was contracted on July 6 for PHP1.41 billion to local IT company ePLDT, with the department currently conducting a post-qualification process. Remulla reassured the public that existing emergency hotlines set up by LGUs could still function as dispatch centers if needed.
In addition to the new 911 emergency call system, Remulla committed to enhancing police mobility by providing more vehicles and motorcycles for the PNP. "We will address a lot of mobility, 1,000 plus motorcycles, 1,000 plus vehicles," he added.
During the tour of the PNP Command Center, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III demonstrated the police force's readiness and capability in emergency response, highlighting their 5-minute response time policy. The center features real-time maps, live monitoring systems, and GPS-integrated tools that allow police to track incidents as they occur, reducing response time and ensuring swift action.
Torre assured the public that there is no longer a need to find a police officer on the street, as the system is fully equipped to provide immediate assistance anytime and anywhere, emphasizing the pride of the organization in its 5-minute response policy.
