Starting September 11, Filipinos facing emergencies will only need to dial 911 as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launches a single, unified emergency hotline to replace over 30 local numbers.
The 24/7 service is free and language-sensitive, allowing calls in Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, Tausug, and other Philippine dialects to be understood and acted upon. The target response time is five minutes, with trained call takers ready to assure callers that help is on the way.
For years, fragmented hotlines caused confusion and uneven response times. With Unified 911, all emergency calls — whether for police, fire, medical, or disaster response — will be routed through an integrated network connecting the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and LGUs.
“Unified 911 should not just be a hotline. It is a lifeline,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. “Every second matters, every call matters, every life matters. This is government fulfilling its promise that help will always be within reach.”
Remulla added that the move reflects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of prioritizing public safety as the foundation of stronger communities.
“By cutting delays and uniting responders, the hotline is a tangible step toward giving families the confidence that they are safer in their homes, on the streets, and in every barangay,” the DILG said.