ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government launched on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the 911 Emergency Response, a program designed to provide real time response to emergency calls.
MAYOR John Dalipe shakes hands with an operator of the 911 desk during the launching of the emergency response system in Zamboanga City on Oct. 30. (Liza Jocson)
Based on the program, callers dial the 911 number and immediately get connected to a Public Safety Answering Point dispatcher based at the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
The dispatcher then forwards the call to the appropriate agency that can respond to or handle the emergency.
There are ten operators assigned to man the 911 headquarters.
Zamboanga is the 13th city in the country and the second in Mindanao to adopt the 911 local emergency response.
“It presents a significant step forward in improving public safety and emergency preparedness. We encourage everyone to spread the word, familiarize with the new 911 system, and use this service responsibly. Together, let’s make Zamboanga City a safer place for all,” said Dalipe who was joined in the launching by Francis Fajardo, DILG Executive Director for the Emergency 911 Commission; Elmier Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer; and Police Col. Kimberly Molitas, Zamboanga City Police Office chief.