Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. stressed Friday, August 16, that the advent and development of modern technology will expedite the government’s response to emergency cases nationwide.
Abalos made the remark as he led the simulation of the "E911" at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Command Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The E911 is a next generation emergency call system designed to provide faster, more accurate, and efficient response to emergencies.
Unlike the traditional 911 system, the E911 utilizes advanced technology to pinpoint caller location, handle multiple forms of communication and integrate with other emergency services such as fire departments, medical responders and other relevant agencies to coordinate response efforts.
During the "Simulation of e911 Service" event, Abalos said that the important thing is that the emergency calls are immediately received by the 911 call takers even if there are only 20 police personnel manning the system per shift.
Under the old system, Abalos noted that 911 emergency calls have to run through circuitous processes before the message or information reaches the intended parties.
In the e-911 Service, Abalos pointed out that the public may dial "1" for police assistance, "2" for traffic concerns where the call receiver will provide you with valuable instructions to assist you in your concerns.
"So binabato kaagad nila 'yan from tawag punta rito tapos binabato kung saan lokasyong buong Pilipinas 'yan, mabilis dapat 'yan. So 'yun ang klaseng training ang kailangan dito tapos pupunta pa tayo sa BFP (They [police] are immediately sending the calls enroute to the intended location in the whole Philippines, it has to be swift. So that is the kind of training that is necessary then we will proceed to the BFP)," Abalos explained.
However, Abalos warned against making prank calls as he said their location may be located through the help of cameras.
“Of the 50,000 (calls), ang legitimate 500 lang. Imagine mo prank calls lahat, 45,000 were prank calls everyday bago itong 911 (Of the 50,000 calls, 500 were only legitimate. Just imagine if all are prank calls, 45,000 were prank calls before the 911 emergency service calls)," Abalos noted.
“Naka camera kayo, alam namin ang location niyo. So please huwag kayo mag prank calls dahil kakasuhan kayo rito. Ito ay para sa efficient na pang resolba kaagad ng aksidente o krimen. Please huwag niyo babayuhin ang sistemang ito. Ito ay para sa ating lahat (You are seen by the camera, we know your location. This is for the early and efficient delivery of services during accidents and lawlessness. Please do not make a mockery out of the system. This is all for us)," he added.
The DILG chief hopes to further develop the “e-911 Service" and be cascaded not only to the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) but also to other concerned agencies.
Abalos emphasized typhoon incidents or brownout occurrences must be taken into consideration.
“So pati 'yun inputed lahat 'yan at pangatlo dahil nga okay na ang pulis, 'yung mga technology nga, 'yung mga drones, the use of drones, there are some LGUs na even MMDA they might use drones para mabilis kaagad pumunta roon sa lugar na pinangyarihan, puwede mo ikabit na rin eh para makita mo (So these things are imputed and thirdly since this is already okay with the police, the technology, the drones, the use of drones, there are some LGUs and even the MMDA might use drones so that the location where the incidents occur may be immediately reached). So these are a lot of possibilities. What is important is maging innovative, innovation (What is important is to be innovative, stressing innovation)," Abalos disclosed.