Department of the Interior Orders Action on 911 Prank Callers
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a directive to all local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances that penalize prank callers to the national emergency hotline. This move comes as the government prepares to launch the upgraded 911 system, aiming to enhance public safety and emergency response nationwide.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized the need to impose real consequences on those who misuse the emergency hotline. “All LGUs should have an ordinance with monetary fines, jail time for prank calls,” he said in Filipino, underscoring the urgency of this issue.
Massive Volume of Prank Calls Strains Emergency Services
Last year, approximately 60 percent of nearly 12 million calls received by the 911 emergency system were prank calls, according to data from the Emergency 911 National Office. This overwhelming volume compromises the efficiency of emergency response teams and endangers lives.
With the upgraded 911 system set to launch, officials are confident that tracking prank callers will become easier. “Everyone who calls has a geofence and geo data. So if you call and it’s a prank call, within five minutes, they’ll catch you,” Remulla explained.
Legal Measures and System Enhancements to Combat Abuse
Prank or hoax calls to the national emergency hotline are punishable under Presidential Decree No. 1727. Violators face penalties including up to five years imprisonment, fines reaching P40,000, or both. The new ordinances by LGUs will reinforce these existing laws to deter misuse.
The upgraded 911 system will also empower over 1,000 police officers nationwide to coordinate in real-time, thanks to push-to-talk over cellular features. This will improve communication and response times during emergencies.
Language-Sensitive Features and Unified Emergency Network
Another notable improvement is the introduction of language-sensitive capabilities. Callers can speak in their native tongues and still be clearly understood by responders, enhancing accessibility and efficiency.
Furthermore, local emergency systems will be integrated into a single, unified 911 network. Currently, 34 LGUs operate their own emergency hotlines, but this consolidation aims to streamline services and reduce confusion.
Improving Response Times and Public Safety
Data from the Philippine National Police Communications and Electronics Service shows that 78 percent of 911 calls between August 8, 2024, and January 5 were responded to within five minutes. With the upgraded system, officials expect even faster and higher-quality responses.
Remulla expressed optimism about the new system’s impact: “Despite the technology we are using, we are doing very well. But with our new system, I think the PNP will have better response time, better quality of response,” he said.
For more news and updates on the national emergency hotline, visit Filipinokami.com.
