DILG LAUNCHES FIRST 911 REGIONAL COMMAND CENTER IN CEBU

THE first 911 Regional Command Center in the Visayas is now operational in Cebu City, marking a major step in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for a faster emergency response that ensures life-saving help is accessible to all Filipinos.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Saturday led the official opening of the first 911 Regional Command Center in Cebu, assuring Visayans of a speedy service delivery – a result of the  unified (911) system and its next-generation technology.

“Today, we have one number: 911. It’s not about just the number. It is about being Filipino. Being Filipino means that we all respect each other. We respect each other enough that the service in Manila, that the service in Cavite is the same as the service here in Cebu, in Bohol, and in Mindanao,” said Remulla.

For an archipelago like the Philippines with over 100 dialects, Remulla said that the 911 Regional Command Center in the Visayas enables the people from Cebu, Bohol, and nearby provinces to talk to a Visayan-speaking (911) operator on the other line, a service that respects the language, culture, and traditions of the people.

The first Regional Command Center in Cebu revolutionizes emergency response by integrating the fire, medical, and rescue services under one unified system, aligning Cebu with global standards for rapid, coordinated, and effective crisis intervention.

It uses next-generation advanced (NGA) technology with call handling and system capabilities that can pinpoint the exact location of the caller and first responders for faster emergency response.

The first Regional Command Center also comes with an incident management system, consolidation of all communication channels, integration with Active Directory for call convenience, and report generation.

“For the Philippines, being an archipelago of 100 plus languages. We must respect each other. And we must tolerate and respect and be together. Despite our differences in politics, differences, and everything else. We must realize that we are Filipinos. And the service must come as one,” the DILG Secretary said.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Director Jesus Fernandez, who was with Remulla during the opening, has committed the full integration of the fire bureau with partners from the Philippine National Police (PNP), DILG, and the local government units (LGUs).

Fernandez also vowed to support all public information campaigns to ensure responsible use of 911.

PNP chief Jose Melencio Corpuz Nartatez Jr. said the police force is ready with its vehicle support and equipment, such as body-worn cameras, to ensure improved emergency response.

Cebu Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro expressed her gratitude to the President and Remulla, saying the center means clear communication, faster response, and stronger coordination among frontliners, the LGUs, and the people.