Two new dialect-sensitive command centers will be launched this month under the Unified 911 system, extending the reach of the country’s emergency network. The initiative aims to bring emergency services closer to communities across Mindanao.
The centers are located in Cagayan de Oro and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. They will connect to the National Command Center in Metro Manila, the Regional Command Center in Cebu, and satellite centers in Batac and the Visayas Region.
Telecommunicators in the new centers will speak local languages such as Bisaya, Maranao, Iranun, Maguindanao, Tausug, and Yakan. This eliminates language barriers that can delay response time. It allows for faster gathering of accurate information and quicker dispatch of responders.
Local responders will also help identify landmarks and terms used to describe local communities, speeding up the location of incidents. Their familiarity with road networks and neighborhoods ensures swift understanding of where help is needed.
Following the Mindanao centers, additional satellite command centers in Pampanga and Camarines Sur are scheduled to launch in the third quarter. These expansions will further develop the platform into a nationwide emergency reporting system.
The Unified 911 system consolidates more than 200 local emergency hotlines into a
