Four Satellite Command Centers under the government’s unified 911 system were opened in four sites in the country.
These areas include:
- Batac, Ilocos Norte
- Cauayan, Isabela
- Tacloban, Leyte
- Leganes, Iloilo
The command centers will ensure that authorities can respond faster and more efficiently during emergencies.
“We are truly committed na ang responses ay magagawa natin sa kahit na anong oras. At we are committed para ito po ay mas mabilis, mas tapat at nararamdaman ng taong bayan,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr.
CSupt. Wilberto Kwan Tiu, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the system would enable responders to act quickly.
“Pag tumanggap na po ang ating mga call takers ng emergency calls, agad-agad magdi-dispatch po yung mga responders. Mino-monitor po iyan,” he said.
Operators of the unified 911 system are able to speak with callers in both english and the local language.
The command center in Iloilo will cover the entire Western Visayas.
“Mas mabuti kasi ating lengwahe dito, alam talaga natin at magkakaintindihan kayo kung ano ang inyong kailangang i-explain,” said Violeta Deocades, a resident.
Another resident, Joemar Valencia, said the command center in Iloilo is a welcome development.
He was the subject of a rescue operation once at a mountainous area and the response was reportedly not as fast as he expected.
“At least, pag-dial mo kung may cellphone ka, automatic siguro nandyan na ang responder. Sana wala nang delay na mangyari,” he said.
BACOLOD 911
In Bacolod City, a 911 emergency response and police hotline was also launched.
This will allow the police to respond to emergencies the quickest time possible, said Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region OIC Director, BGen. Romano Cardiño.
“Depends sa proximity. Kasi ang five-minute rule natin dati sa NCR ‘yun. Pero dito naman sa highly urbanized city, we will check ang pinakamabilis na response time natin,” Cardiño said.
Officials of barangays located far from the city center hope the hotline can make police response more efficient.
“Imagine, 3,000 hectares ang aming lugar. Ilang subdivision, ilang purok, ilang hacienda,” said Armando Vito, the captain of Barangay Granada.
