Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief,  P/Gen.Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. on Friday, encouraged the public to maximize the use of the Unified 911 hotline during disasters and calamities to ensure faster emergency response and improve public safety.

This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., through the guidance of DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure the safety of communities during inclement weather.

“This hotline was not created solely to address crimes but also to respond to the needs of all our kababayan during natural calamities, including typhoons,” Nartatez said.

“Whether for preemptive evacuation, search and rescue operations, or other emergencies, this hotline is a lifeline for everybody,” he added.The Unified 911 Hotline connects callers to the police, fire, medical, and rescue services through a single emergency number. Nartatez said early reporting of emergencies allows responders to act faster, especially during severe weather when every minute can save lives.

The PNP Chief added that the police organization wants more Filipinos to become aware of the hotline and use it whenever immediate assistance is needed. He said the hotline is an important part of the government's disaster preparedness efforts and complements the response of local government units and other emergency responders.

“We want to raise the awareness of our kababayans that they have access to an efficient hotline they can rely on during disasters and emergencies,”Nartatez said.

The PNP continues to strengthen its emergency response capability through the Unified 911 hotline as part of its efforts to provide faster and more accessible public service during emergencies.