The country’s emergency response system reached another milestone as Cebu officially became home to the second Unified 911 communication hub, strengthening nationwide coverage and bringing world-class emergency services closer to the Visayas.
The new hub, launched on October 25 at the PLDT Smart Experience Hub on Osmeña Boulevard, follows the inauguration of the first National Command Center in Manila last September 11. It will soon move to its permanent site at the Bureau of Fire Protection Headquarters in Lapu-Lapu City.
A Leap in Emergency Response Technology
Powered by NGA 911’s cutting-edge technology and supported by PLDT and ePLDT’s telecommunications infrastructure, the Unified 911 system integrates police, fire, medical, and disaster response into one streamlined platform. By dialing a single number, 911, Filipinos can now access emergency responders nationwide, eliminating the confusion of multiple hotlines.
The Visayas Regional Hub mirrors the capabilities of the Manila center, featuring:
- Next Generation 911 technology is used in the United States
- GPS-based caller and responder tracking
- Geo-fencing and real-time CCTV integration
- Live video streaming and centralized data reporting
- 24/7 multilingual call handling, including Cebuano, Tagalog, and Ilocano
With 20 fully equipped workstations and trained call takers, the hub can process distress calls within minutes, ensuring faster and more accurate response times.
National Rollout Underway
The Cebu hub is the second step in a nationwide rollout plan that will eventually establish six more regional hubs and satellite centers across the country. According to NGA 911 Philippines Country Head Robert Llaguno, the expansion reduces barriers to emergency access and makes 911 “closer, more reachable, and more inclusive” for Visayan communities.
“This launch is a national coverage milestone,” Llaguno said. “It demonstrates the government’s commitment to making emergency services accessible to every citizen, regardless of location or language.”
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that the modernization of the emergency response system is about protecting lives.
“With the BFP leading the implementation, supported by the DILG, PLDT, and NGA, we are building a future where no Filipino is left without help when it matters most,” he said.
NGA 911 provides the cutting-edge technology powering the Unified 911 system in the Philippines. Its Next Generation 911 platform is designed to deliver world-class, future-proofed emergency call handling and dispatch solutions.
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