DILG Introduces Unified 911 Hotline to Streamline Emergency Services Nationwide

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officially unveiled the Unified 911 system on Thursday, creating a centralized emergency hotline that consolidates all existing local emergency numbers nationwide.

This integrated platform will direct all emergency calls—whether for police, fire, medical assistance, or disaster response—through one coordinated network linking the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and local government units.

"Previously, there were 35 local government units each with their own emergency numbers, alongside separate lines for the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection. There were roughly 200 such numbers, and about 40,000 barangays where citizens first contacted their barangay captains before reaching emergency responders," Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla explained at the launch event.

"Given the complexity of the Philippines, emergency response systems became fragmented and inefficient. Today, we simplify it with a single, universal number—911," he added.

The central command center for Unified 911 is currently located in Sampaloc, Manila. The government plans to establish at least eight additional call centers across the country within 120 days to ensure faster response times.

"This is only Phase 1 with 60 call operator seats; eventually, the network will expand to 240 seats nationwide," Remulla said.

The new emergency management system also features a unified push-to-talk radio network, augmented surveillance through unmanned aerial vehicles, and improved mobility utilizing 500 vehicles and 2,000 motorcycles dedicated to emergency responses.

Service is available free of charge 24/7 and supports multiple local languages, including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, and Tausug. The system aims to achieve a response time of five minutes, with trained operators providing immediate reassurance to callers in distress.

On its inaugural full day of operation, Unified 911 received 58,000 calls, of which 60 percent were identified as prank calls. Secretary Remulla emphasized a strict policy against misuse: "If you are registered as a bogus caller, your calls will be deprioritized, and repeat offenders will no longer be entertained. There are clear disincentives to discourage false reporting."

The initial phase of the project was funded with a budget of PHP 1.4 billion.

"When taxpayers see deductions for withholding tax in their pay slips and then encounter emergencies, they can be assured that their contributions are supporting this essential public safety service," Remulla said. "This project was awarded without bidding to expedite its implementation."

The Unified 911 system represents a significant step forward in enhancing emergency response coordination and efficiency across the Philippines.