Filipinos facing emergencies no longer need to fumble for different hotlines. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that starting Thursday, citizens can simply dial 911 for urgent help. The launch of the Unified Emergency Hotline System was held at the PLDT office in Sampaloc, Manila, with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla underscoring the importance of having a single number.
“Today, we have one number and that's 9-1-1,” Remulla said, recalling how the old setup left people confused with thousands of different hotlines from local government units, police, fire departments, and barangays.
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Faster and More Coordinated Response
The new system links the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and local governments into one integrated network. Calls to 911 will be received by trained responders who can dispatch the proper agency, aiming for a five-minute response time.
Beyond dispatching, call takers are also trained to keep distressed callers calm, ensuring that help is not only quick but also reassuring during critical moments.
Free, 24/7, and Language-Sensitive
The DILG emphasized that the 911 hotline is free of charge, available around the clock, and accessible in multiple Philippine languages including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, and Tausug.
“By minimizing delays and coordinating responders, the hotline gives families confidence that they are safer at home, in the streets, and in every barangay,” the DILG said.
