The Bulacan 911 emergency hotline was launched to strengthen the Bulacan Rescue project that provides response and assistance to Bulakenyos in emergencies. The Bulacan Provincial Government, led by Gov. Daniel R. Fernando in collaboration with DILG, PLDT, PNP, BFP Cities and Towns, NGOs, and other partners, successfully launched the Bulacan 911 (Emergency Hotline) on October 28, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at Bulacan Capitol Gym.
At the same time, the new look of the Bulacan Rescue Project logo and the unity of the government and various sectors of society in promoting 911 through the signing of commitment. After the short program, it was followed by a motorcade to better inform the people of calling 911 for free in case of emergency.
Bulakenyos may call in their emergencies, including medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, etc.), vehicular accidents, fire reports, collapsed structures, and natural disasters (force majeure) like floods, typhoons, and earthquakes need immediate rescue.
Bulacan 911 Emergency Hotline Now Fully Operational
As stated in President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 56, series of 2018 institutionalizing the 911 hotline as the nationwide emergency answering point, all local government units shall establish their local 911 call centers where calls shall be free of charge, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that the long wait is finally over, and Bulakenyos can now quickly call for help for free.
“911 is very famous not only in the country at napakadaling tandaan. Kaya binabati ko ang lahat ng ka-partner natin dito para maglaan ng dagliang tugon sa ating mga kababayan 24/7. Ang kailangan kasi natin talaga, mabilis na komunikasyon, maayos na linya ng komunikasyon at mabilisang pagtugon,” Fernando said.
“This will not defeat the purpose of the Bulacan 566, pwede pa rin pong tawagan ang numerong ito para sa pagresponde sa mga emergency 27/7. Ito pong ilulunsad natin na 911 hotline ay makakatulong ng 566 sa pagpapanatili ng pampublikong kaayusan at seguridad at pagpigil sa kriminalidad. Ngayon po sa pag-dial ng 911, kahit walang load, walang problema, mas pinabilis din po and waiting time dahil sa Go Live,” Fernando said.
He added that Go Live 911 uses Touchpoint software calls directly to first responders for improved situational awareness and faster response times.
“Handa na po ang ating Bulacan Rescue upang magserbisyo sa ating mga mamamayan. HInihiling lang po natin sa ating mga kababayan na gamitin ang hotline 911 sa mga lehitimong emergency, ‘wag po nating gamitin sa panloloko kasi pwedeng sa oras ng pagtawag ng manloloko ay meron talagang may emergency na hindi makapasok,” Fernando explained.
According to PDRRMO, PLDT 911 Seminar-Orientation was conducted on November 8, 2019, all C4 staff was certified as Emergency Communicator on December 23, 2019, Emergency Telecommunicator Certification Training was conducted on January 13 to 17, 2020, the Emergency 911 national office of the DILG has conducted an ocular inspection in the PGB for its application for the local use of 911 hotline on June 21, 2021, and was approved.
Dennis G. Magbatoc, Vice President and Head, Corporate Relationship Management-PLDT Enterprise, said that they are getting more inspired to be part of this program since many local government units are now responding to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to establish local 911 call centers for emergencies.
“Since it was approved na ang 911 ang siyang magiging nationwide emergency answering point kapalit ng patrol 117, lalong pinag-ibayo ng PLDT ang pagbuo ng cloud-based contact center platform upang gamitin sa 911 hotline,” Magbatoc shared.
He said that the province of Bulacan is the newest addition to LGUs using the 911 hotline along with Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Tarlac City, Bataan, Parañaque City, Olongapo, Ilocos Norte, La Union City, Cagayan de Oro, Negros Occidental, Sorsogon, Legaspi City, Albay, and Baguio City.
In preparation for the Bulacan 911 (Emergency Hotline) operation, PDRRMO Bulacan Rescue staff underwent a refresher of the Emergency Telecommunicator Course For Local Call Center sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government – DILG under the leadership of Executive Director of Emergency 911 (E911) National Office, Diosdado Valeroso, Oct. 11-15, 2021.
Moreover, Executive Director Valeroso, said in his message that was read by Philip Uy, Head, Capacity Development Emergency 911 National Office, “Harinawa, gawin nating instrumento ang 911 na siyang magdudulot ng kasagutan sa mga agam-agam sa paghingi ng agarang saklolo. Dala namin ang inspirasyon na pag-ibayuhin pa ang paglilingkod at pagpapalawak ng 911 sa buong Pilipinas”.
Bulacan 911 emergency is under Bulacan Rescue – Communications, Command, and Control Center (C4) of PDRRMO. Bulakenyos may still call the Bulacan Rescue hotline (044) 791-0566 that has been the rescue provider of the province since 2010.