The Unified 911 Emergency System will officially go live this July in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Regions 1 (Ilocos) and 7 (Central Visayas), Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Monday.
In a press briefing held at the Quezon City Police District headquarters, Remulla said the system will be powered by advanced technology and gradually expanded nationwide in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.
“We are going to deploy the latest technology in the world. Puwedeng streaming, maipapakita mo kung anong nangyayari sa iyo, may geolocator, para malaman kung nasaan ka,” he said.
To combat prank and nuisance calls, which reportedly make up 60 percent of emergency hotline traffic, the new 911 system includes deterrent features to reduce such disruptions. “Kasi ang experience niyan sa PNP, 60 percent of the calls are pranks,” Remulla added.
The 911 Emergency Hotline will now be a permanent and core program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), fully integrated into its framework and supported by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), both DILG-attached agencies.
Remulla emphasized the long-term commitment to the program. “Kasi continuing investment yan so hindi mo puwedeng sabihin na one year lang yan, sa susunod na taon papalitan na naman. It’s a 10-year investment plan,” he said.
Existing hotlines like the PNP’s 117 will function as command centers, managing 911 calls specific to their agency’s mandate, such as criminal incidents or fire emergencies.