Photo courtesy of PNA
Authorities in Western Visayas expanded efforts to promote the Unified 911 emergency hotline as police and local officials pushed for broader public awareness of the service.
The Police Regional Office 6 launched a regionwide poster and information drive on Friday to make the hotline more visible in communities, businesses and public spaces.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Western Visayas Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said the campaign was aimed at making 911 the public’s first point of contact during emergencies. He said a single, easily remembered number could help people reach the appropriate government response faster.
Ingeniero added that the hotline was already operational across Western Visayas, but awareness remained uneven. He noted that some banks, malls and other establishments still displayed only the contact numbers of hospitals and police stations.
PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the system had received 258 calls since operations began in Leganes, Iloilo, in June. The calls covered police, medical, fire and other emergency concerns.
Tuaño said authorities were also working to cut response times, which were averaging close to five minutes. Operators and local police units were encouraged to conduct regular drills to improve coordination and speed.
The Leganes operations center still faced a technical restriction because it could only receive calls from Smart and PLDT lines. Iloilo City officials were working on an extension facility that would allow users of other telecommunications networks to connect to the service.
Police also continued to address mobility issues in remote areas and expand the use of body-worn cameras. The campaign included the signing of a commitment pledge, distribution of 911 materials and participation from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection.