Emergency hotline set to shift from 117 to 911

Soon, citizens will be able to dial 9-1-1 to call for emergency response.

Government representatives on Friday signed an agreement with telecommunications companies and private partners to make the shift.

“This is an agreement between the concerned government agencies such as Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and private sector partners mainly from the Foundation for Crime Prevention (FCP) to transition from Patrol 117 to 911 emergency service,” PLDT spokesman Ramon Isberto told GMA News Online in a text message.

Launched in 2003, Patrol 117, the local counterpart of US’s 911, is the emergency hotline service operated by the DILG and supported by the FPC.

Asked why the hotline number 117 shifted to 911, Isberto noted that Davao City has a very successful 911 emergency service.

“The President wants to propagate that throughout the country,” he added.

PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Globe Telecom Inc. President Ernest Cu, officials from Bayantel, Eastern Telecom, Paptelco were also present during the MOA signing.

Foundation for Crime Prevention is a non-government organization focusing on emergency assistance organized by the business community.

Isberto noted that telco giants PLDT and Globe are part of the FCP. —JST, GMA News