To operate full blast: Cebu City’s 911 system not yet ready

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the announcement made by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that the 911 hotline will be fully operational in major cities, including Cebu, starting next month, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRMO) chief Aderson Comar believes that there is still much that needs to be done to ensure the effectiveness of the emergency response system in Cebu City.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla recently committed to addressing public safety concerns amid the continued growth of the Philippine tourism sector. He underscored President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to strengthen law enforcement institutions in support of the country’s tourism boom.

“For the next few years, next few months, we’ve invested heavily to make the country one of the safest in the world,” Remulla said during the 3rd Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Sales and Marketing Summit.

As part of this initiative, the government is revitalizing the national 911 emergency system, which is expected to be fully operational by July 2025 in key areas such as Metro Manila, Davao, and Cebu. Plans are also underway to install CCTV cameras across the country, with a target of one camera per 1,000 square meters.

In spite of these developments, Comar told The Freeman that Cebu’s 911 system is still in its initial phase.

Although a command center and system have been set up, he noted that several operational gaps remain.

“Naa pa ta sa first phase, nag-set up silag command center unya system,” Comar said, describing how the current system still lacks critical equipment and operational capacity.

Drawing from his experience observing the U.S. 911 model, Comar stressed the need for strong field coordination.

Under the planned second phase, emergency responders would be equipped to send real-time photos and videos to the command center to enable quicker and more informed decision-making—especially in areas without high-tech CCTV coverage.

Comar also discussed integrating monitoring tools used by police, firefighters, and emergency responders directly into the system.

He proposed forging partnerships with hotels, malls, and other commercial buildings to gain access to site conditions and floor plans, which would help streamline emergency responses.

“Para di na ta sigeg pangitag details... derecho na dayon,” he said, explaining that immediate access to such information could eliminate delays during emergencies such as fires.

He also advocated for geo-routing of emergency calls so they are automatically directed to the nearest available responders—ensuring a faster response. At present, all calls are routed through a central command center, which then coordinates with individual agencies.

Comar noted that the current setup mirrors the DILG’s now-defunct 117 emergency line, which was eventually discontinued due to high maintenance costs. — (FREEMAN)