Pampanga: The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has warned prank callers to stop dialing the 911 emergency hotline or face penalties. Based on the provincial disaster agency's data on the calls received in 2025, some 241,025 or 78.03 percent were dropped or abandoned calls and 66,270 or 21.46 percent were prank calls, out of the 308,870 total calls. Only 1,052 were genuine emergency cases, and 523 were legitimate but non-emergency calls.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pangasinan PDRRMO emergency operations head Pia Flores, in an interview Tuesday, said prank calls overload their system, delay the response to true emergencies, consume time, and waste resources. "The emergency hotline is critical for life-saving," she said. Prank callers will be fined with PHP1,000 for first offense, PHP3,000 for second, and PHP5,000 for third offense. "It will start with a formal warning and educational home visit to the violator, then the first offense if he or she does not heed the warning," she said.

She added that the provincial board (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) has approved Ordinance no. 369-2025, prohibiting and penalizing prank calls. The ordinance covers calls to the hotline containing threats, profanities, deceptions, reporting of fake emergencies, and repeated unnecessary calls such as dropped or abandoned calls. The ordinance was based on national laws such as Presidential Decree No. 1727, which states that violators may face a five-year jail time, or maximum of PHP40,000 fine or both.

Flores reminded the public that 911 is for emergency cases and those in need of assistance. She advised those calling for emergency response to remain calm and provide their location and the nature of the emergency, which is vital information.