Provincial governors must acquire motorcycles for local police to ensure immediate response to reports through the country’s 911 emergency hotline, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the purchase of new motorcycles would allow the police to quickly verify the legitimacy of reported incidents, considering that 60% of total reports to 911 were prank calls.
Remulla said it is a small investment for the governors to ensure that government resources will not be wasted.
During his four terms as Cavite governor, he acquired 800 police cars as logistical support to respond quickly to calls for assistance.
He said the national government would shoulder all expenses for the launching of the nationwide integrated 911 system, adding that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered adjustments to the national budget to support the initiative.
He said towns will be provided with firetrucks and ambulances for quick response during emergencies. “The 911 is worthless if you only call but there is no response. It’s just like you’re only complaining. So, we have to capacitate LGUs to be able to respond,” Remulla said.
The DILG is eyeing the launch of the integrated 911 emergency response system by June in the Greater Manila area, Cebu and Mindanao. The 911 replaced the old Philippine emergency hotline117 in 2016.