Unified 911 handles over 96,000 emergency calls in 10 months

The government's Unified 911 emergency hotline handled more than 96,000 emergency calls in the first 10 months of 2026, posting a 96.64 percent efficiency rate, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported Tuesday.

From 1 January to 31 October, the Emergency 911 National Call Center handled 96,447 emergency calls involving police assistance, fire emergencies, medical incidents, search and rescue operations, and violence against women and children.

The DILG said emergency assistance was facilitated within an average of three to five minutes through the Unified 911 system, with some incidents receiving responses in as little as one to two minutes.

In Goa, Camarines Sur, a caller sought assistance for his diabetic father, who was experiencing severe abdominal pain. According to the department, an emergency transport vehicle arrived within one minute and brought the patient to St. John Hospital.

In Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, a Bureau of Fire Protection ambulance crew reportedly responded within one minute to assist a resident suffering a suspected heart attack. The patient was transported to a local medical facility.

Meanwhile, responders in General Luna, Surigao del Norte, assisted a motorcycle accident victim within two minutes and brought the patient to Siargao Island Medical Center.

The DILG cited the incidents as examples of coordinated emergency responses involving local authorities and national government agencies.

Launched in September 2025, Unified 911 serves as a centralized hotline for emergencies requiring police, fire, medical and rescue assistance.

The department said it continues to strengthen coordination among emergency response agencies and local government units to improve response times and expand access to emergency services.

It reiterated its goal of ensuring that Filipinos can seek immediate assistance through a single emergency number, regardless of their location.