DILG Strengthens Emergency 911 System Nationwide
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to bolster the Emergency 911 system nationwide as part of its effort to improve community disaster preparedness. This upgrade will empower local government units (LGUs) to better respond to emergencies with faster and clearer coordination.
More LGUs are now operating multilingual local Emergency 911 call centers directly linked to police, fire, and medical services. According to sources, this integration facilitates quicker deployment of responders and smoother collaboration at the community level.
Commitment to Local Disaster Preparedness
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to equipping LGUs for disaster response following the recent State of the Nation Address by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He emphasized, “Disaster preparedness must be embedded in how we govern every day. Bago pa bumaha, bago pa tumama ang bagyo, dapat may galaw na ang lokal na pamahalaan,” highlighting the need for proactive local actions before calamities strike.
Enhancing Local Readiness and Coordination
Beyond upgrading the Emergency 911 system nationwide, LGUs are encouraged to update their disaster preparedness plans regularly. They must also monitor critical waterways and position cleaning and rescue resources ahead of adverse weather conditions.
This system upgrade is designed to support barangays in their roles to disseminate early warnings, enforce evacuation protocols, and coordinate effectively with city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils. This multi-tiered approach aims to enhance response efficiency and community safety.
Unified and Multilingual Emergency Service
Earlier announcements from DILG officials revealed plans to integrate all 911 hotlines in 34 cities into a unified Emergency 911 system by August. This new platform promises faster and more reliable access to life-saving assistance.
Importantly, the upgraded system will accommodate regional languages such as Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, Waray, Bisaya, and Tausug. This language inclusivity ensures callers can communicate emergencies clearly and receive prompt help in their native dialects.
For more news and updates on emergency response and disaster preparedness, visit Filipinokami.com.
