More time needed for 911 system – Palace

MANILA, Philippines – Amid monsoon rains that left around eight people dead and 70,000 displaced, Malacañang has asked for more time for transition of all emergency numbers to the 911 system.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the government is still going through the process of collapsing all local and national emergency numbers into 911 emergency system.

Marikina City, which is often the first to get flooded in Metro Manila, was found using its emergency number 161 to respond to calls for help on Friday and Saturday, when the river there swelled.

The city raised its alarm to forced evacuation level as the waters breached 17 meters.

As of yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported at least five people dead due to heavy rains.

The NDRRMC said a body was found floating along the Nagtahan Pumping Station late Friday while two others died when a firewall collapsed on their shanty in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

 Another died when a wall also collapsed in Quezon City while a 68-year-old man drowned in Malbug river in Janiuay, Iloilo.

Meanwhile, Andanar said Globe Telecom has asked for 45 days more from Aug. 27 to migrate its 8888 customer service number and assign it to the government’s hotline 8888.

President Duterte had earlier said he wanted 8888 as a dedicated number to handle and receive citizen complaints against erring government officials or anomalous government transactions.