DILG urges Filipinos to use Unified 911 during emergencies

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday urged Filipinos to make the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline a key part of their disaster preparedness, saying prompt emergency reporting can save lives and help prevent crises from escalating.

As the country marks National Disaster Resilience Month, the DILG said resilience depends on infrastructure and government response as well as on citizens knowing how to act and where to seek help during emergencies.

"Preparedness begins with knowing where to call during emergencies. Unified 911 empowers every Filipino to become an active partner in saving lives and strengthening community resilience," the department said.

Launched in 2025 under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Unified 911 Hotline connects callers to police, fire, medical, and rescue services through a single nationwide emergency number.

The system is designed to improve coordination and reduce response times during typhoons, fires, road accidents, medical emergencies, violent incidents, and other situations requiring immediate intervention.

The DILG said the hotline has handled nearly 12 million calls nationwide since its launch, reflecting growing public awareness of the service and the importance of timely emergency reporting.

The department cited several recent incidents that demonstrated the value of quick reporting.

In Tondo, Manila, firefighters deployed 14 fire trucks within six minutes after a caller reported a fire at a commercial establishment through Unified 911. Although the blaze reached the third alarm, authorities contained the fire without any reported casualties.

In Dasmariñas City, police responded within five minutes to a shooting incident reported through the hotline, apprehended the suspect, and ensured the 60-year-old victim received immediate medical treatment.

Meanwhile, in Aringay, La Union, first responders arrived within two minutes after receiving a report of a stabbing, preventing further escalation and providing prompt medical assistance to the victim.

"These cases demonstrate a central lesson in disaster resilience: communities become safer when citizens report emergencies immediately and responders are mobilized without delay," the DILG said.—LDF, GMA News