ILOILO — Authorities are stepping up efforts to make 911 the go-to emergency number in Western Visayas after the region’s Unified 911 system responded to 258 emergencies in just over two months, even as officials acknowledged that many residents remain unaware that the service is already operational.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region VI launched a regionwide awareness campaign on Aug. 14, highlighted by the ceremonial posting of Unified 911 informational materials at the PRO-6 headquarters.
PRO-6 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said the Unified 911 system recorded 258 emergency calls successfully responded to from its activation in Western Visayas on June 4 until Aug. 13. Most involved police incidents, medical emergencies and fire-related concerns.
Despite the system’s operation across the region, DILG-6 Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero, CESO III, said public awareness remains a challenge.
“Nagsimula na kami noon, sa Leganes at the same time, mayroon pa yang extension sa Iloilo City, buong Western Visayas sa ngayon ay nakakareceive na kami ng tawag sa 911. ANg ating lang palagay at nakikita natin, namamasyal kami sa mall at sa mga bangko, parang hindi sila aware na may 911. Nandoon lahat ‘yung telepono ng hospital, ng police, pero ‘yung 911 ay wala, kaya sininumalan natin ang kampanya na ito para lumawak pa ang kaalamam ng mamayan tungkol dito sa 911,” Ingeniero said.
The campaign will include community outreach activities where authorities will engage residents and students and disseminate information on how to access Unified 911 services.
Participating agencies also signed a Pledge of Commitment to strengthen interagency cooperation and emergency response capabilities.
Unified 911 brings police, fire, medical and rescue services under a single emergency number, allowing the public to seek assistance without having to remember separate hotline numbers for different agencies.
Tuaño, however, acknowledged continuing difficulties in meeting the target five-minute response time, particularly in rural areas and remote barangays where infrastructure limitations can delay responders.
Another limitation is telecommunications connectivity.
At present, only Smart and PLDT provide direct access to the Unified 911 Command Center in Leganes, Iloilo. Calls made through other networks are routed first to the National Command Center before being relayed to the Western Visayas command center.
The DILG is working to expand telecommunications connectivity so more networks can directly access the regional system. Authorities are also discussing the establishment of a second command center in Iloilo City to further improve emergency response.
The national Unified 911 program was launched by the DILG on Sept. 11, 2025 as a centralized, free and round-the-clock emergency hotline. A Unified Emergency Services Satellite Command Center at the Leganes Fire Station was launched on June 4 this year.
“Simple lang ang layunin natin ngayon, na mas maraming kababayan ang makakaalam at maka-alala sa unified 911. Pag may sunog, may aksidente, may medical emergency, tatlong numero lang ang kailangan para sa agarang tulong. Ipinapaalala natin sa publiko na maging responsable sa pagtawag sa 911,” Tuaño said.
Ingeniero stressed that a single, easily remembered hotline could make a crucial difference during emergencies.
“This highlights the importance of ensuring that our communities are aware of this reliable channel, the unified 911 provides direct access, isang tawag lang, may taong lalapit sayo at kakalinga sa solusyon ng problema. Kapag may sunog, medical emergency, krimen, at sitwasyon na kailangan ng emergency assistance, every second matters, and having one reliable emergency hotline makes it easier for people to seek the right help at the right time,” Ingeniero said.
Tuaño said the campaign goes beyond putting up posters and stickers, emphasizing that residents must know which number to call before an emergency strikes.
He also warned against prank and unnecessary calls that could tie up lines and resources needed for genuine emergencies.
“Sa oras ng kagipitan, Unified 911 ang tawagan — mabilis na tulong, inyong maaasahan,” Tuaño said.
