BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Bacolod has officially made history as the pilot site for the Philippines’ modernized emergency response infrastructure, the city has launched the upgraded 911 emergency system, moving away from legacy landline-based responses toward a cutting-edge, tech-driven platform.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and global tech leaders, aims to drastically reduce emergency response times across the “City of Smiles.”
The new system is powered by Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) technology, bringing the Philippines’ emergency services in line with international standards used in the U.S. and Europe.
- Location Accuracy: Unlike the old system, which relied on verbal directions, the upgraded 911 automatically pinpoints a caller’s exact GPS coordinates from their mobile device, allowing responders to find victims in “dead spots” or unfamiliar territory.
- Multimedia Support: The platform can now receive SMS, photos, and live video feeds from callers. This allows dispatchers to assess the severity of a fire or medical emergency in real-time before the first responders even arrive.
- Unified Dispatch: The system integrates the response teams of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) into a single digital dashboard.
DILG officials noted that Bacolod City was selected for the pilot program due to its “robust digital readiness” and the proactive support of Mayor Albee Benitez, who has championed “Smart City” initiatives since taking office.
“Bacolod is proving that a ‘Smart City’ isn’t just about fast internet; it’s about saving lives. By piloting this system here, we are creating the blueprint that will eventually be rolled out to every major city in the Philippines.” — DILG Representative
The Bacolod pilot phase will serve as the testing ground for the national transition. Following a successful evaluation period, the DILG plans to expand the upgraded system to:
- Metro Manila (specifically Quezon City and Taguig)
- Cebu City
- Davao City
Bacolodnons are encouraged to continue using the 911 hotline for all life-threatening emergencies. The city government emphasized that while the technology is “high-tech,” it remains free of charge for all mobile and landline users.