The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) emphasized on Wednesday the urgent need for a centralized national 911 system that integrates responses for both criminal and disaster emergencies.
“Yesterday, I was on the plane with Secretary Jonvic. It is our dream to have a 911 system. He shares the same vision. It seems that the integration of the 911 system across the country can now be achieved. I suggested that we consolidate it into a single 911 number for both criminal emergencies and disaster emergencies. For now, that is still just our dream,” said OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno.
According to the OCD, this vision aims to improve coordination and response times during crises across the Philippines.
In a recent interview, Usec. Nepomuceno outlined the Philippine government’s structured approach to emergency management, which encompasses both natural and human-induced calamities.
He explained that the management of emergencies is divided into four key areas: mitigation, preparation, response, and long-term solutions.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is primarily responsible for mitigation, focusing on enhancing community resilience to reduce potential harm.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) leads preparations for disasters, ensuring that necessary measures are in place before calamities strike.
In terms of response during disasters, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) takes the lead.
For long-term solutions, such as infrastructure repairs and rebuilding, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is at the forefront.
Usec. Nepomuceno acknowledged the complexity of the disaster management structure and the potential confusion it may cause for the public.
He emphasized that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) consists of 45 member agencies, including representatives from the private sector, to ensure a coordinated response based on the specific stage of the emergency.
The chairman of the NDRRMC is Secretary of National Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro, who is actively involved in these efforts.
As the secretariat of the NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and coordination among various government agencies.
Usec. Nepomuceno reiterated that the effectiveness of emergency management depends on the seamless integration of actions across all involved parties.
According to OCD, establishing a unified 911 system is essential for improving response times and coordination during emergencies.
