In a major step toward modernizing the country’s disaster and crisis management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have officially launched a unified 911 satellite command center in Leganes, Iloilo.
The ceremonial launching was led by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. and BFP Director Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Niel Ang Kwan Tiu, alongside local government officials.
The initiative is part of the Modernized and Integrated Philippine Emergency Report Handling and Response System. It establishes a centralized, toll-free, and 24/7 emergency hotline that connects callers directly to police, fire, medical, and rescue services.
Nartatez said the expansion of the localized emergency system directly aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen national crisis management and bring emergency services closer to regional communities.
One of the most significant upgrades introduced with the new satellite centers is localized language support.
Recognizing the diversity of the Philippines’ regions, the Unified 911 Satellite Command Center is equipped to handle emergencies in multiple local dialects, including Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Ilocano, Ibanag, and Waray.
The feature ensures that local residents can report emergencies quickly and clearly without language barriers slowing down dispatchers.
Nartatez emphasized that improving response times requires strategic investments in equipment and mobility rather than simply hiring more personnel.
“While we aim for a response time of just one minute, what matters most is that the response actually happens,” he said.
“Response time is meaningless if it takes more than an hour, or if there is no response at all.”
To address this, the PNP is actively rolling out a fleet of motorcycles, patrol vehicles, body-worn cameras, and 3-in-1 push-to-talk radios to boost officer mobility and safety.
“The most important thing is rapid response, and we are continuously studying how to improve this. Our police and our fellow responders in the BFP must be fully equipped and ready to respond,” Nartatez said.
The expansion of the 911 network relies heavily on cellular and internet connectivity.
Acknowledging that signal dead zones still exist in some rural areas, Nartatez committed to helping telecommunication companies establish towers and satellite offices.
The PNP has pledged to secure telco workers from security threats posed by local and communist insurgent groups, while also assisting in cutting through bureaucratic red tape at the barangay and municipal levels to expedite tower construction.
In Iloilo City, local leaders are already taking steps to secure reliable networks.
Mayor Raisa Treñas shared that the city is actively collaborating with major telco providers—including PLDT, Globe, and Converge—to build network redundancy and ensure robust coverage.
She noted that Globe is currently deploying 5G connectivity across the city, while Converge is working to upgrade its local infrastructure to ensure there are no interruptions in communication.IMT
Photos by Ian Paul Cordero/IMT NEWS
