More Filipinos are turning to the government’s Unified 911 Emergency Hotline during emergencies, with more than 5.2 million calls recorded from January to April 2026, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Sunday.

Data from the Emergency 911 National Call Center showed that 5,251,754 calls were handled in the first four months of the year, averaging over one million calls per month. According to the DILG, the figures reflect growing public trust in the country’s emergency response system.

Established under Executive Order No. 56, s. 2018, the Unified 911 Hotline links callers to police, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency response services nationwide.

The DILG also reported a decline in prank and fraudulent calls following recent system upgrades, including measures to block AI-generated and automated prank calls.

Behind the millions of calls were individuals seeking urgent assistance during critical situations.

In Naic, Cavite, Antonio Mariñas called 911 after witnessing a motorcycle accident. Responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office immediately arrived and transported the victims to a medical facility for treatment.

In Iloilo City, Jonald Mucho sought help after seeing an intoxicated man attempting to jump from an elevated area. Police officers responded and intervened before the situation escalated. The individual was later turned over to barangay officials for appropriate assistance.

Meanwhile, in Camarines Sur, Ely Panga dialed 911 after a passenger inside a Philippine National Police armored vehicle reportedly suffered a heart attack. Responders from the Pili MDRRMO provided immediate assistance and rushed the victim to the Bicol Medical Center for urgent medical attention.

“Sa oras ng panganib at sakuna, nakasandig ang publiko sa 911. Patunay ito na mas maraming Pilipino na ang nagtitiwala sa kakayahan ng pamahalaan na magbigay ng agarang responde sa oras ng emergency,” the DILG said.

The department urged the public to immediately call 911 during emergencies requiring police, fire, medical, rescue, or other urgent assistance, emphasizing that prompt reporting enables responders to act faster and potentially save lives.