NATION

DILG, SM expand Unified 911 campaign nationwide

Jing Villamente · Jul 23, 2026, 12:14 PM

MEMBERS of the Philippine National Police man the Unified 911 system as they wait for callers. The PNP also announced that it is planning to add more female police officers to handle reports of domestic violence. — Photograph courtesy of Newsbytes.ph

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has partnered with SM Prime Holdings Inc. to expand the nationwide awareness campaign for the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline, bringing emergency information to millions more Filipinos through one of the country's largest digital advertising networks.

Under the partnership, promotional materials for Unified 911 will be displayed on SM's nationwide network of digital billboards and across 398 SM Cinema screens, encouraging the public to remember a single emergency hotline.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the initiative marks another step toward making the Unified 911 system more accessible while strengthening the country's culture of preparedness.

"Eto na ang umpisa ng pagkakaisa ng bayan natin sa emergency response. Ito ang 911," Remulla said during the launch of the Unified 911 for Resilience National Campaign.

He said the system is "unified" not only because it uses one emergency number, but because it ensures that every Filipino can seek assistance regardless of language or dialect.

Remulla also announced plans to procure additional emergency response vehicles for the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police to improve emergency response capabilities nationwide.

Since its launch in 2025, the Unified 911 System has handled more than 12.78 million calls through its National, Regional, and Satellite Command Centers, reflecting increasing public use of the integrated emergency response network.

The DILG chief also stressed transparency in the procurement of equipment for the program, saying all acquisitions are free from corruption.

He urged members of the PNP and BFP to continue upholding professionalism and integrity, saying public trust in the country's emergency response system depends on the dedication of its responders.

Also present during the launch were Pasay City Mayor Imelda "Emi" Calixto-Rubiano, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., BFP Officer-in-Charge FCSUPT Wilberto Rico Neil A. Kwan Tiu, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, and SM Prime Holdings Vice President for Mall Operations Junias M. Eusebio.