DILG: Calls to emergency hotline 911 now free for select telcos

MANILA, Philippines — Calls to emergency hotline 911 is now free of charge for PLDT, Smart, Talk N’ Text, and Sun subscribers, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday.

“Libre na po ang pagtawag sa Hotline 911 sa PLDT at tatlong mobile networks pero hindi ibig sabihin ay gagamitin natin ito para sa panloloko,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

Año said mobile network companies complied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 56, which established 911 as the nationwide emergency hotline.

READ: 911 is now PH emergency hotline number

The Interior Secretary likewise said the department will not hesitate to punish prank and fraudulent callers of emergency hotline 911.

“Pasensyahan po tayo, kapag kayo po ay aming nahuli, kayo po ay mapaparusahan. May mga kababayan po tayong nangangailangan ng tulong na maaaring hindi kaagad ma-respondehan dahil sa mga prank calls na ito,” Año said.

Under Presidential Decree 1727, those found guilty of making prank calls may face imprisonment of not more than five years or fine of up to P40,000.

Año also appealed to other mobile network companies to ensure that calls made to emergency hotline 911 will be free of charge and other fees.

For now, Globe Telecom Inc. said they are currently “completing the technical validation” to make 911 calls free from all fees.

Data from DILG Emergency 911 National Office showed they receive almost 3,500 emergency calls per month and almost 100 emergency calls per day. /kga