The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has officially activated the Unified 911 Satellite Command Center in Leganes, Iloilo, making Western Visayas home to one of only four regional emergency response hubs established nationwide.
The facility, launched on Thursday, aims to improve emergency response by addressing language barriers and reducing response times through locally staffed and dialect-sensitive emergency coordination centers.
The Western Visayas hub is equipped with five workstations and staffed by 20 trained emergency communicators capable of handling calls in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, English, and Filipino. Since its activation, the center has already received 39,987 calls and responded to 303 verified emergencies.
The Leganes facility is one of four satellite command centers launched simultaneously across the country. Similar centers were established in Batac, Ilocos Norte; Cauayan, Isabela; and Tacloban City, Leyte, each designed to serve callers in their respective local languages.
Philippine National Police Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who led the rollout, said the Unified 911 System reflects the national government’s commitment to providing faster and more coordinated emergency services through the combined efforts of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and local government units.
He added that the PNP continues to invest in motorcycles, body-worn cameras, vehicles, and other equipment to further improve response capabilities.
Meanwhile, BFP officer-in-charge F/Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu said the agency is planning to install monitoring chips in fire trucks and ambulances to track their locations during emergency operations.
Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas welcomed the launch, describing it as a timely initiative that will make emergency assistance more accessible to residents across the region.
“Every second matters during emergencies. It is good to know that with just one call, help can immediately respond, and people can communicate in their own language, particularly Hiligaynon,” Treñas said.
She highlighted Iloilo City’s existing emergency response network through its 10 operational Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARE) Centers strategically located across the city. The city government aims to maintain a response time of within five minutes through close coordination among the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Iloilo City Emergency Responders (ICER), and the Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO).
“Responde gilayon kay one call away lang ang bulig,” Treñas said, emphasizing the city’s commitment to public safety.
The mayor also underscored the importance of regular simulation exercises, continuous training, and investments in equipment, facilities, and patrol vehicles to further strengthen emergency preparedness and response.
Authorities also reminded the public to use the emergency hotline responsibly. Nartatez warned that phone numbers used for prank calls three times will be blocked by the system, potentially preventing users from accessing emergency assistance when they genuinely need it.
The Unified 911 program is expected to enhance emergency coordination and provide faster, more accessible lifesaving services for communities throughout Western Visayas.
