The Philippines ranks very high in the World Risk Index due to its vulnerability to typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters.

In fact, it has topped the list consistently from 2009 to 2024, making it the most disaster-prone country globally.

Add to this the everyday challenges of vehicular accidents, medical emergencies, thefts, domestic quarrels and neighborhood disturbances so a local government unit’s ability to provide swift and effective emergency response is of life and death importance.

Unfortunately, most LGUs use different emergency hotline numbers, making it hard for citizens to remember what number to call and what procedures to follow while in a particular LGU.

Recognizing this, the Department of Interior and Local Government called for a unified national emergency response system using next generation, advanced technology that would respond swiftly and accurately to emergency calls in every barangay.

In August 2024 under the leadership of Executive Director Francis Fajardo of the E911 national office, the DILG launched a Revitalized 911 program that improved emergency response, beginning with the Philippine National Police (PNP). Supported by new technology, the PNP improved its response time to within 3 to 5 minutes and 90% of all calls are answered after just two rings.

During the 7th General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines on Feb. 7, 2025, DILG Secretary Juanito “Jonvic” Remulla called on local chief executives to extend full support to the country’s implementation of the 911 system for a faster, more efficient response to emergencies.

Seven LGUs – including Morong, Rizal; Alaminos City, Pangasinan; Cebu City, Cagayan De Oro City, and Mambajao, Camiguin – are now equipped with next generation 911 solutions that are fully digital, IP-based and focused on speed, accuracy and efficiency. The next-gen system that replaces traditional 911 infrastructure and expands communication options beyond voice calls has been provided by NGA 911 Philippines, the local subsidiary of NGA 911 LLC, a US-based company that provides the advanced technology worldwide.

The next-gen system directly routes 911 calls to the LGUs’ emergency response command centers. Advanced data dashboards allow responders to visualize crucial information that results in faster decision-making. An automated incident ticketing system designed to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and significantly improve response times is in place.

“But there are more enhancements to look forward to in the coming months,” said Robert Llaguno, country head of NGA Philippines. “Caller location tracking, the ability to send photos and videos through the system, integration with CCTV networks, and auto transcription that converts live or recorded audio into text are improvements that will provide useful data to boost public safety.”

When all the features of the cutting-edge technology are in place, the Philippines will be the leader in next-generation emergency response in Asia, Llaguno shared. The Philippines is right now the first Southeast Asian country to roll out next generation 911 – the same technology used in the US and Europe — by partnering with companies like NGA 911 Philippines and PLDT Global.

Llaguno mentioned other advantages of the new technology that will revolutionize emergency response in a disaster-prone area like the Philippines. “The next gen technology allows for seamless communication and data sharing between different public safety agencies so they can have a coordinated response to emergencies. The new technology is interoperable. It can let different agencies and LGUs communicate and share information effectively,” Llaguno said.

Location-based routing provides information that can pinpoint the actual location of callers. This results in faster and more accurate dispatch of    emergency services, Llaguno added.

Dispatchers and first responders also receive real-time information, which includes live video feeds from callers that lets them assess the situation first before they arrive on the scene.

“All told, NG911 makes emergency response highly adaptable and reliable. It is better equipped to handle emergencies, including natural disasters and mass casualty events,” Llaguno said.

Next generation advanced 911 is being acknowledged as the next evolutionary step in emergency and public safety communication systems because the cutting-edge system integrates with modern technology to provide a richer context for emergencies, and allows dispatchers and first responders to make more informed decisions while deploying the right resources and assistance.

“Once a full next-gen, unified national emergency response system is in place and running at full capacity, the Philippines will be one of the best, if not the best, in terms of emergency preparedness and response in Southeast Asia,” Llaguno concluded.