First in Central Luzon: Bulacan town gets cutting-edge 911 system

A 911 call handler works at the command center of Bustos, Bulacan. — Photo from the National E911 office

MANILA, Philippines — Bustos town in Bulacan province became the first local government unit (LGU) in Central Luzon (Region 3) to be equipped with a cutting-edge public safety communication system for its 911 hotline, similar to those in the United States and Europe.

Bustos Mayor Francis Albert Juan inaugurated the first-class municipality’s command center on April 21.

The command center is manned by LGU call handlers trained by the National E911 office, 911 operators working 24/7, sophisticated monitoring systems, and emergency dispatch tools.

Mayor’s dream since barangay captain fulfilled

“This has been my dream even as a barangay captain—to render good and efficient public service to the citizens of Bustos, to protect and serve constituents and offer hope to our town,” Juan said in a statement.

“Now that we have this cutting-edge system in place, once you’re in Bustos, just dial 911 and we will take care of your emergency, be it fire, crime, petty crimes, or vehicular accidents. I know we will respond fast,” he continued.

To date, Juan noted that most of the emergency calls they receive involve vehicular accidents.

Emergency 911 National Office executive director Francis Fajardo lauded Juan’s push for the emergency system in his city.

“Young local officials like Mayor Juan are forward-looking and always open to innovation,” Fajardo said in a statement.

Unified 911 system

“They will provide a lifeline to all Filipinos,” Fajardo added.

In Metro Manila, the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) revitalized emergency 911 service also powers the service.

DILG launched the revitalized 911 service in August last year in a bid to establish a “national unified 911 emergency system”  within the next three years, according to its chief Jonvic Remulla.

Officers in Metro Manila respond to 78.1 percent of 911 emergency calls within five minutes between Aug. 8, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, according to the Philippine National Police Communications and Electronics Service.

READ: Police respond to 78% of 911 calls within five minutes – PNP