In an emergency, every second counts — so, who do you call? This is a question for every citizen during a crisis. Unfortunately, in the midst of panic, people often struggle to dial the correct number among the many existing hotlines, causing delays in response and there is such a thing as “the golden time”. To address this issue, the Revitalized 911 Emergency Hotline was established, replacing Patrol “117”, and institutionalized under Executive Order No. 56. The system is managed by the E911 Commission under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), providing a centralized, nationwide emergency response system accessible to the public 24/7. This initiative aims to reduce response times and improve coordination among various emergency services.
One of the significant impacts of the 911 System is its integration to the Philippine National Police (PNP). Under the leadership of Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, PNP has embraced this change, recognizing its role as a primary service responder tasked with ensuring that emergency calls are answered promptly and effectively. This commitment is evident in the establishment of a dedicated call center at the PNP Command Center (PCC) which serves as the hub for all redirected emergency calls.
PNP has also organized specialized teams of call takers and dispatchers, ensuring that every call is handled by trained professionals. Innovations in communication lines have been introduced, linking command centers from the national level down to local police stations. All operations are conducted in strict adherence to the Police Operational Procedures Manual, ensuring that responses are not only quick but also compliant with the highest standards of law enforcement.
To further strengthen their response capabilities, PNP conducted a simulation at the PNP Command Center, Camp BGen. Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City on August 16, 2024, with the presence of DILG Secretary Atty. Benhur Abalos Jr.. This exercise tested the system’s effectiveness and identified areas for improvement, ensuring the system is fully optimized before its full-scale implementation. Following the simulation, PGen. Marbil issued a directive, setting a new standard for emergency responses, mandating that all police units respond to 911 calls within three minutes. This directive aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s challenge of achieving a five-minute emergency response time, a goal aimed at enhancing public service and maintaining safety across the nation.
“Every Filipino deserves quick and efficient police response, regardless of their location or status. The revitalized 911 hotline is not just a technological improvement; it is a crucial component of our mission to make every community feel secure and supported by PNP,” said PGen. Marbil.
The launching of the Revitalized 911 hotline in collaboration with PLDT, Inc. not only simplifies the process for citizens seeking help but also empowers PNP to perform its duties more effectively. By consolidating multiple hotlines into a single, easy-to-remember number, the new system eliminates confusion and ensures that help is always just one call away.
“Our citizens rely on us during emergencies, and we have to ensure that every 911 call is met with the swift and effective response it deserves. This directive is more than just a procedural requirement—it reflects our unwavering commitment to serve and protect the Filipino people, ensuring peace and safety across the nation,” PGen. Marbil added.
PGen. Marbil also urged the public to use the 911 service responsibly, stressing that the system’s effectiveness is dependent on the cooperation and good judgment of all citizens.
As the Revitalized 911 Emergency Hotline becomes fully operational, Filipinos can rest assure that in their moments of greatest need, DILG and PNP, and other emergency services will be there swiftly and efficiently, dahil “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Ang Pulis Kung Rumesponde, Mabilis!”
