TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – The SAFE Negros Island Region (NIR) 911 hotline has reported a 30 percent increase in calls since it was launched in this highly-urbanized city last week.

This signals growing public awareness and confidence in the emergency response program, Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, Police Regional Office (PRO)-NIR chief, said.

Cardiño, during the rollout of the hotline in Negros Occidental here on Friday, June 19, said the rise in calls indicates that more residents are becoming familiar with the hotline and utilizing it as intended.

To ensure the system remains effective, Cardiño directed police operations personnel to conduct simulation exercises that will test the preparedness of responders and evaluate the overall efficiency of the emergency response network. 

He said that the goal is not only to meet the previous five-minute police response benchmark but to continuously improve service delivery.

SAFE (Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary) aims to strengthen emergency response capabilities across the region. 

According to Cardiño, the initiative is more than just a communication platform. It represents the police force’s commitment to being present and responsive whenever citizens need assistance.

“Every emergency call represents a story,” Cardiño said, noting that calls may come from parents seeking help for their children, victims in need of protection, or communities facing threats. Through the hotline, he said that no plea for help should go unanswered and no citizen should feel alone during a crisis.

He added that the program reflects the kind of policing the organization seeks to promote, one that builds trust, strengthens community ties, and ensures that residents feel protected and supported.

“Our mission is to make every Negrense feel that their police are always ready, always responsive, and always within reach,” Cardiño said.

Police Col. Dennis Wenceslao, Negros Occidental police director, said the initiative brings law enforcement closer to communities by improving coordination and enabling quicker responses to emergencies.

Representing Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lizares, Councilor Kenn Thomas Tirthdas, chairperson of the City Council Committee on Public Safety and Peace and Order, described the program as another milestone in the collective effort to enhance public safety and responsive governance. 

He said the hotline provides citizens with faster, more accessible, and more efficient emergency services while reinforcing public trust in government institutions.

Tirthdas added  that public safety requires cooperation among government agencies, law enforcement, and communities, adding that collaboration is key to creating safer neighborhoods.

The event concluded with the release of white and blue balloons symbolizing the shared goal of achieving a peaceful and orderly province. A motorcade followed to help raise public awareness about the hotline and its services.

The program was reintroduced at the Bacolod City Police Office  led by BCPO chief Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia on June 4.