National Emergency Response Summit urges LGUs to establish 911 Command Centers ahead of La Niña’s impact

As the Philippines braces for the impact of La Niña, expected to bring at least three typhoons per month and up to ten more in 2024, local government units (LGUs) are being urged to establish their own 911 command centers. This crucial message was delivered by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. during the National Summit for Emergency Response held on August 14 at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila.

The summit, attended by 38 LGUs, 18 government agencies, eight private organizations, and approximately 350 participants, emphasized the importance of a unified, nationwide 911 emergency response system. Secretary Abalos highlighted the need for a system that leverages the latest technology, similar to the 911 systems in the United States, to ensure swift and accurate responses to emergencies across the country.

The key takeaway from the summit was the critical need for LGUs to establish emergency command centers. These centers will play a vital role in providing life-saving emergency responses, protecting lives and property, and ensuring a seamless nationwide communication infrastructure for emergency services.

“We are now starting this,” Abalos said, citing the pioneering efforts of the municipality of Morong, Rizal, which has established its own command center using cutting-edge technology provided by Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911). He also mentioned that Alaminos, Pangasinan; Cagayan De Oro City, Cebu City, and Navotas City are among the municipalities that will soon enhance their public safety capabilities with similar command centers.

Abalos emphasized the importance of technology in implementing an efficient emergency response system, noting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is already testing the NGA 911 technology, which offers world-class emergency response capabilities similar to those used in the US and Europe.

A significant milestone at the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the DILG, PNP, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), and NGA 911. This agreement officially transferred the NGA 911 call handling system to the PNP, marking a major step in revolutionizing the country’s emergency response system. The state-of-the-art system will enable the PNP to respond to distress calls with unprecedented speed and accuracy in locating emergencies.

Mitch Locsin, PLDT’s First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Core Business, pledged the company’s support in completing the emergency response resilience paradigm by providing seamless connectivity that ensures emergency calls are easily located and responded to.

Tech giants Google and Amazon Web Services also underscored the role of cloud technology in making the emergency call and response process faster and more efficient.

Dr. Ted Esguerra, in his talk on “The International Disaster Response Network and the New Normal Life,” highlighted the Philippines’ ranking as the most at risk to multiple natural hazards globally. He emphasized the urgent need for investment in disaster resilience as the country prepares for the challenges ahead.