Alaminos, Pangasinan activates next-generation emergency response command center

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Alaminos City in Pangasinan has become the first city in the country to boast of a cutting-edge emergency communication command center to respond to the public safety concerns of its citizens.

Before Alaminos, the town of Morong, Rizal had been the first municipality in the Philippines to provide world-class, state-of-the-art emergency response.

At the National Emergency Response Summit held last August, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos stressed the need for a unified, nationwide 911 emergency response system that uses the latest technology, like in the US and Europe. He exhorted all LGUs to put up their own emergency response centers equipped with the latest technology.

Abalos said the need is critical – especially during La Niña. LGUs must respond swiftly and accurately to emergencies, save lives and property and deliver quality public service.

“Every city and town must set up its own local emergency call center,” Abalos said, and directed the National E911 Office to involve all relevant agencies in the mission, emphasizing that advanced technology is a must in emergency response.

E911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo explained that cutting-edge emergency response command centers staffed by well-trained and dedicated personnel who can handle crises and emergencies with precision and professionalism will serve as the nerve center for emergency operations in all LGUs. “The goal is to provide efficient and effective emergency response services to every corner of the nation,” Fajardo said.

The Alaminos and Morong initiatives are thus a hearty response to the call of the DILG Secretary and the National E911 Office.

Alaminos City Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste and Vice Mayor Jan Marionne Fontelera welcomed Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Juan Victor Llamas, E911 National Office Executive Director and Pangasinan First District Representative Arthur Celeste on September 10 as the City launched the Alaminos, Pangasinan Next Gen 911 Command Center in Poblacion.

Like Morong, Alaminos City has partnered with NGA 911 to provide its constituents with world-class and complete solutions for emergency communication and public safety services.

NGA Philippines is the local subsidiary of NGA 911, LLC headquartered in California, USA, globally known as the innovator of emergency calling technology, and the leader in Next Generation 911 (NG911) emergency communications worldwide.

Built on industry standards adopted by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) in the United States and the European Emergency Number Association (EENA), the NGA 911 system and technology will revolutionize the way and speed with which the LGU can handle emergencies.

“LGUs are most capable and should operate their own command centers because they know their own terrain, people, and types of emergencies best,” Executive Director Fajardo observed.

“The E911 National Office is a disaster recovery site and we are here to support Alaminos and all other LGUs that will put up their emergency response command centers. We will continue to provide guidance and training and route 911 calls, consistent to their activation process,” Fajardo added.

NGA 911 Country Head Robert Llaguno said “All 911 calls to the Alaminos DRRM Command Center are now fully recorded and conference and transfer facilities are now seamless. Its capability to respond efficiently and accurately to emergency callers has been revolutionized. Now, when someone calls 911, the location of that particular caller is immediately provided and the search radius is limited to just about 5 yards with 90% accuracy.”

The Alaminos emergency response team has already completed its capacity development training, supported by the Emergency 911 National Office, Llaguno shared. Response time in Alaminos has been cut from 3 to 4 minutes, the standard response time set by the DILG and the PNP.

Mayor Celeste lauded the activation of the City’s 911 command center, saying, “This is no ordinary 911. When you call, you’re not going to be patched to another agency. If you call within Alaminos, it’s now the command center that answers. All calls are recorded and give the exact location. No longer do citizens need to remember 11 digits and look for a CDRRM member to get help. What you see in Hollywood movies where someone calls 911, we already have that in Alaminos. This technology will really help our citizens.”

Collaborative partnerships for climate resilience

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The Philippines tops the list of countries with the highest disaster risk, thus building our capacity to respond, bounce back and adapt to intensifying climate impacts is a nationwide priority and shared responsibility.

“Any program that aims to build climate resilience requires strong partnerships and working together across all sectors,” said World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-PH) Executive Director, Katherine Custodio at the breakout session of the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024). 

 “There is definite opportunity for platforms or networks to come together and bring to life our national policies and our commitments, but for these to succeed, there needs to be sincere effort and openness to work across different sectors and disciplines,” said Custodio. The session on creating connections and partnerships was hosted by Jonas Marie Dumdum, Senior Consultant and Sustainability Service Lead of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila Branch.

Jonas Dumdum of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio on Collaborative Partnerships for Climate Resilience, at the breakout session of the 7th Annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024) Conference on Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology, and Innovations, is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). 

“Finding the right champions within the company – that’s very important. It helps to engage the leaders from the top,” said Custodio, who has seen the history of the shared goals between the NGO and its many corporate partners over the years.

WWF-Philippines and SM Prime Holdings, Inc., (SM Prime) have partnered on successful programs such as the YOUth are the Future, the annual Earth Hour campaign with SM Supermalls, SM Hotel’s Sustainable Diner, and the Hamilo Coast Sustainable Development project that’s now in its 14th year. 


“At SM Prime, we dream big for our shared future. True prosperity transcends financial success. Our commitment to developing sustainable integrated properties is matched by our efforts to foster vibrant, inclusive communities wherever we build legacy properties that weather the challenges of time and that last for generations,” said Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy for SM Prime and SM Development Corporation (SMDC), during the event.

As one of Asia’s leading integrated property developers, SM Prime believes that taking the right climate action must be grounded in science and endeavor to transition to a net-zero economy. SM Prime’s partnership with WWF-PH ensures that its near and long-term science-based targets for 2030 and 2040, align with the global commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.

“WWF-PH is pleased to work with SM Prime on their decarbonization efforts through our Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI) program.  Companies such as SM Prime are guided in identifying climate-related risks, working on a roadmap, and publicly committing to their science-based targets,” said Custodio.  

“Change does not happen overnight. This is something we have learned in our work with communities all over the country. True partners are willing to work together for a long time, and actively listen to each other,” said Custodio, when asked by Dumdum about climate partnerships and shared purpose. “When your project positively impacts people’s livelihood and wellbeing – when people’s lives improve in a durable way, that’s when you know you’ve created an impact,” she said. 

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future. 

The 7th APRU-SCL 2024 is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baňos, at the SMX Aura Convention Center, from August 6-8, 2024. For more information, email: hspdconf@up.edu.ph or visit the website: dcerp.che.uplb.edu.ph/ichspd. ###. 

Building sustainable communities: The future of cities

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What makes a city thrive is how developers create opportunities for movement, synergy, and prosperity. It’s a combination of celebrating life to its fullest capacity with the community at its very heart. 

“At SM Prime (SMPHI), we dream big for our shared future. True prosperity transcends financial success. Our commitment to developing sustainable integrated properties is matched by our efforts to foster vibrant, inclusive communities wherever we build legacy properties that weather the challenges of time and that last for generations,” said Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation, and Strategy for SMPHI and SM Development Corporation (SMDC). 

Sy joins a list of esteemed local and international professors, climate specialists, and government officials at the 7th Annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024). 

The theme for this year’s three-day conference is Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

As one of Asia’s leading integrated property developers, SM Prime’s strong track record in sustainability and disaster resilience is central to the company’s projects. In a climate-vulnerable country like the Philippines, disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience are priorities, to scale efforts to a city level. 

The rapid city growth increases energy demand, necessitating innovative and efficient renewable energy solutions. SM Prime has partnered with franchise holders to systematically manage energy use and move towards net-zero emissions.

For future large-scale master planned developments, Sy shares that SM Prime is taking a systems approach to utility infrastructure down to embedding them in the urban design guidelines at the precinct or plot level developments.

“We are developing this living framework together with our knowledge partners. Currently, the ambition is to combine our efforts and actionable items under six themes of – transport, energy, water, biodiversity, built form and materials,” she said. 

Sy carries this clear vision to heart as an invaluable part of the path forward. “We believe this will be the future of cities in the Philippines and we are committed to delivering it to our future generations,” she said.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and building sustainable cities of the future. 

The 7th APRU-SCL 2024 is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baňos, at the SMX Aura Convention Center, from August 6-8, 2024. For more information, email: hspdconf@up.edu.ph or visit the website: dcerp.che.uplb.edu.ph/ichspd. ###. 

The country’s top emergency response agencies hold a summit to take public safety to the next level

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As the Philippines and its neighbors face 21st-century challenges of climate change-worsened calamities, deadly viruses, and daily threats to peace and order, faster, smarter, and more accurate emergency response is necessary.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through Secretary Benjamin Abalos and its National E911 Office led by Executive Director Francis are meeting the challenge head-on with a National Summit on Emergency Response on August 14 at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Manila.

Among the key issues to be tackled at the Summit is the need for the country to revitalize its emergency response system, which is at the core of providing public safety to citizens, Executive Director Fajardo said.

“We are in an age where problems and risks have become more complex and we must respond faster, smarter, and more efficiently. We need to move with the times, recognize the role played by gadgets and modern communication platforms, and invest in modern tools and services that weren’t there before. Now and in the future, our goal is to serve our communities and look out for the safety of citizens so we need new solutions to be responsive and relevant,” Fajardo added.

Topics to be tackled at the Summit are the modern perils faced by citizens in the age of AI, data analytics, and automation, and the importance of emergency management. Concerns about safety and survival in the light of disasters, cyberattacks, terrorism, daily incidents of crime, child abuse, violence against women and their children, accidents, thefts, and health emergencies will be discussed.

The Summit will also take a closer look at the International Disaster Response Network and how it can help with safety, security, and survival in the New Normal. The roles played by web services such as Amazon and Google in ensuring effective emergency response will be explained, as well as telcos’ duty to provide uninterrupted communication during emergencies will be emphasized.

Executive Director Fajardo has facilitated an arrangement where the Philippine National Police can get a feel of harnessing next-generation, advanced 911 for its emergency response operations. It has requested NGA 911, the global innovator of emergency calling technology and leader in next-generation emergency communications worldwide, to allow the PNP to try out its state-of-the-art 911 call handling system that is used in the United States and Europe. It enhances emergency number services by creating a faster, more resilient system that allows digital information like voice, photos, videos, and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public through the 911 network and onto first responders. PLDT will ensure that there is an available flow of communication during emergencies.

“By knowing and using the right tools and technologies, local governments can be better prepared and ready to respond to emergencies more efficiently. A fast, accurate, and resilient emergency response system will minimize disruptions in citizens’ lives and give Filipinos the peace of mind they deserve. Investing in advanced technologies is a must if we are to improve our emergency preparedness and make our responses faster and more effective,” Fajardo said.

Government officials, representatives from the country’s emergency response agencies, and service providers are expected to take part in the Summit.

The local emergency response landscape will be re-imagined with cutting-edge technology in place and used on a wide scale at the Summit.

E911 National Office facilitates trial of cutting-edge next-generation emergency response system for PNP

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) will soon be better equipped to handle and respond to emergencies, natural disasters, human-induced incidents, and other distress calls.

The E911 National Office through its executive director Francis Fajardo has facilitated the trial of a cutting-edge, next-generation 911 system by the PNP that will provide it with world-class emergency response capabilities like that used in the US and Europe.

Taking his cue from the current administration’s focus on quick response and resilience in the face of disasters and emergencies. The directive of DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos to make the national emergency program adapt to the digital age by making it useful for all forms of public emergency calls countrywide, the Executive Director has asked NGA 911 (Next Generation Advanced 911)/NGCS to provide the national police with its patented call handling system.

NGA 911 LLC (Next Generation Advanced 911) is the global innovator of emergency calling technology and leader in next-generation emergency communications worldwide, with NGA 911 Philippines/NGCS as its subsidiary.

The state-of-the-art NGA 911 call handling system will let the PNP respond to distress calls and provide emergency response at unprecedented speed with accurate location pinpointing.

NG911 is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system that will replace the analog 911 infrastructure that’s been around for decades. The call handling system that will be trialed by the PNP will include the hardware, software, data, and all the procedures and policies that relate to answering every emergency request for help.

Emergency number services will be enhanced by creating a faster, more resilient system that allows digital information (e.g., voice, photos, videos, text messages) to flow seamlessly from the public, through the 911 network, and eventually, directly to first responders.

Robert Llaguno, Country Head of NGA 911 Philippines says “The unique features of NGA’s technology; that is, IoT capabilities, international, global standards; resiliency and redundancy and the ability to provide the accurate location of the caller, will give the national police the capability to respond efficiently and accurately to emergency callers. For example, when someone calls 911, the location of that particular caller is immediately provided and the search radius is limited to just about 5 yards with 90% accuracy. “

“On top of that, NGA technology can integrate various types of available systems or applications. We can integrate with the local government’s CCTV systems and provide enhanced location and situational awareness for front liners and first responders. We can integrate with instant messaging applications and provide an omnichannel queue. Emergency 911 services can now be accessed through SMS or instant messaging apps, targeting the millennial population of our nation. NGA’s technology is also fully redundant and telco-agnostic, providing 99.999% of uninterrupted service and an uptime guarantee. It will future-proof the emergency response capabilities of the PNP,” Llaguno explained.

At the moment, the town of Morong, Rizal is the first municipality in the country and in Southeast Asia to harness NGA 911’s next-generation advanced technology to provide leveled-up public safety and service to its residents. Alaminos, Pangasinan, Cagayan De Oro City, and Cebu City will soon also have their next-generation emergency response command centers in place.

NGA 911 Philippines Head Office Inauguration

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Don Ferguson, Founder and CEO of Next Generation Advanced (NGA) 911 LLC in the United States together with NGA 911 Philippines President Ishka Villacisneros-Tusjakova and Country Manager Robert Llaguno led the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the June inauguration of the NGA 911 head office in Quezon City.

NGA 911, with a mission to provide peace of mind and equal access to emergency response for everyone in communities through cutting-edge, cloud-based telecommunications, has already begun modernizing LGUs, starting with Morong, Rizal. Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Alaminos, Pangasinan are next in line for activation, with other LGUs in the pipeline.

Don Ferguson is a leading innovator in adopting Next Generation 911 in the United States who has over 30 years of technology experience in deploying large-scale, mission-critical systems and is the holder of several emergency call routing and services patents. He served in the technology and innovation team of President Barack Obama tasked to modernize public safety communications. NGA 911’s cutting-edge technology would bring the Philippines up to first-world emergency response standards when adopted by LGUs. Its use of the highest level of redundancy and resiliency ensures high-performance transmission of voice, text, and video during emergencies while promising unbreakable connections, empowering communities to save lives and property in everyday emergencies, as well as during large-scale disasters.

GO ON A CLASSIC FILM MARATHON WITH THESE MUST-WATCH FILMS OF NATIONAL ARTIST EDDIE ROMERO

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An artist’s legacy is an invaluable contribution to society and collective history – their art stands the test of time. For the late National Artist for Film Eddie Romero, his work lives on to be celebrated anew by generations and generations of audiences, more so now on his 100th birth anniversary.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with the Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) and in cooperation with ABS-CBN Sagip Pelikula, Cinema One, and the FPJ Archives, honors NA Eddie Romero’s unparalleled artistry through the CCP Cine Icons: Eddie Romero @ 100, a series of screenings of his digitally-restored films. 

Want to know why Romero was one of the most revered filmmakers in the industry, regarded by both local and foreign directors and why he was conferred the National Artist in 2003? These cinematic gems will tell you why. 

AGUILA 

This 1980 period drama film encompasses the history of the Philippines, told through the life story of Daniel Aguila. Touted as the “biggest event in local history” and “the biggest Filipino film ever made,” Aguila starred National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. in the titular role. 

In the movie, the Aguila family gathers to celebrate their patriarch’s 88th birthday, but Daniel Aguila is nowhere to be seen. In fact, he has been missing for a decade. Suspecting that Daniel is in Mindanao, one of the sons goes on a journey to search for the missing father. His search leads him to uncover the life that his father led through 80 years of personal and historical development. 

The Cine Icons: Eddie Romero @ 100 kicked off with the special screening of Aguila last April 3, at the GSIS Theater. 

GANITO KAMI NOON, PAANO KAYO NGAYON 

This 1976 period drama film narrates the adventures and misadventures of a naive peasant boy, named Kulas, who wanders through the Philippine Revolution of 1896-1898 and the Philippine-American War of 1899-1901. 

The second offering for the Cine Icons: Eddie Romero @100, Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? was screened last May 22 at the UPFI Film Center. It will have a second premiere at the De La Salle University in Taft, Manila on July 20. This film is one of the inspirations for the opening salvo of the CCP Out-of-the-Box Series Season 2. 

KAMAKALAWA 

Premiered in 1981, the classic fantasy film explores the folklore of the prehistoric Philippines in an adventure of mortals in a world filled with gods and mythological creatures.

Make sure to catch the digitally restored Kamakalawa live on the silver screen this coming June 25 at the PUP Theater. This special event is free and open to the public. A talkback will follow after the film screening.

HARI SA HARI, LAHI SA LAHI

This 1987 Filipino-Chinese epic historical drama film is set in the 14th century, where a brewing friendship between the Chinese Emperor Yong Le and the King of Sulu, Paduka Pahala is forged upon the latter’s visit to China.

This film is a co-production between the CCP and China, and will serve as a culmination of the CCP Cine Icons: Eddie Romero @ 100 special. The digitally restored version will premiere live on the silver screen on July 21 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). 

BANTA NG KAHAPON

Set at the backdrop of the 1969 congressional elections, this 1977 action film unravels the story of men as pawns in a milieu of political power – men best described as beholden only to amorality and the highest bidding politicos who pay their services.

LOST BATTALION 

A 1960 black-and-white film set in the Philippines during World War II, the film is about a girl who is rescued from bandits by a guerrilla fighter.

THE RAIDERS OF LEYTE GULF

The 1963 war film recounts the story of a U.S. intelligence officer during World War II who was captured and tortured by Japanese soldiers occupying the small island of Sundao.

THE WALLS OF HELL 

This gritty, atmospheric 1964 war film dramatizes a chapter of World War II history in which 10,000 Japanese soldiers, fearing execution if they surrendered, disobeyed their own superiors’ orders and barricaded themselves in Intramuros along with a thousand or so unfortunate civilians.

BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA

In this 1973 crime drama film, a black prostitute and a white revolutionary must form an uneasy alliance when they are busted out of prison, and then pursued by guerrillas, bounty hunters and the Army.

SAVAGE SISTERS 

Set in 1974, the exploitation film tells the story of three women of three races who join the fundraising part of an island revolution.

To get the latest updates on future film screenings from CCP Cine Icons, follow the official CCP and CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Cebu City Revolutionizes Emergency Response and Public Safety Capability with Groundbreaking NGA 911 Partnership

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Cebu City’s local government has taken a step in bringing its public safety and security infrastructure to next-generation, world-class standards.

Mayor Mike Rama and Vice Mayor Alvin Garcia (Acting Mayor) have spearheaded a transformative partnership with NGA 911, LLC, an American company renowned for its pioneering 911 services across the United States.

The company stands at the forefront of innovation, harnessing cutting-edge Next Generation technology to revolutionize emergency response systems. With state-of-the-art capabilities, NGA911’s systems empower responders to swiftly receive calls, pinpoint caller locations, execute dispatch operations, and seamlessly integrate with Cebu City’s existing infrastructure, including CCTV networks. This integration promises a unified, digital platform, ensuring efficient, recorded responses to emergencies as they happen.


The introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities by the NGA system will revolutionize how Cebu City residents can access emergency responders. Besides using traditional mobile and landline calls to report emergencies, citizens will soon be able to do the same via SMS and instant messaging applications, expanding the accessibility and speed of emergency response services.

Mr. Dante V. Arcilla Jr., Department Head of MICS (Management Information and Computer Services) who meticulously analyzed and evaluated the system greatly influenced Cebu City’s decision to partner with NGA 911. “Through this collaboration, the city aims to meet its current and future technological requirements, bolstering its capacity to respond rapidly and robustly to crises.  By integrating NGA 911’s systems with our existing emergency infrastructure, we anticipate heightened resilience and redundancy in disaster scenarios, as well as enhanced situational awareness for our first responders,” the MICS head said.


Mayor Mike Rama has always emphasized the importance of public safety and has made it paramount in the city’s agenda. “Ensuring the safety of our residents is our top priority,” Mayor Rama said. Mr. Arcilla echoed the sentiment, saying, “This partnership will raise public safety standards and spur economic growth. With enhanced safety measures, tourism will flourish, consumer confidence will rise, and businesses will be encouraged to invest in our city.”

As Cebu City marches towards a safer, more technologically adept future, the partnership with NGA 911 stands as a testament to its commitment to safeguarding its citizens and fostering prosperity, city officials said.

PLDT Global, U.S.-based Next Generation Advanced 911 bring advanced emergency communications system to PH

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PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global) is enabling United States-based technology solutions provider Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) to help boost emergency response systems in the Philippines with advanced technology, delivered through the nationwide PLDT network infrastructure. PLDT Global is the international unit of PLDT Inc.  

Under the partnership, NGA 911 will be able to provide its NG9-1-1 solution to Philippine customers like LGUs and public safety teams. NG9-1-1 is an IP-based emergency communications system that aims to improve emergency response by enabling callers to send text, photos, and videos to 911 centers, as well as receive real-time data on the location and status of responders. With NG9-1-1, responders can gain access to precise and comprehensive information regarding emergency situations, leading to expedited and enhanced response capabilities.

“We are excited to partner with PLDT Global to bring the NG9-1-1 platform to the Philippines,” says Don Ferguson, CEO of NGA 911. “NG9-1-1 will transform the practice of emergency communications and response in the Philippines. We have delivered this solution to public safety agencies across the United States.  Soon, Philippine customers can gain access to NGA 911’s advanced emergency communication technologies that are currently only available in the United States. We look forward to working with PLDT Global to make this a reality.”

“With PLDT’s extensive network and digital expertise, we hope to make this technology accessible to Filipinos and create an opportunity for the Philippines to be a 911 hub in Asia,” says Roselle Dela Cruz, Vice President – Americas and EMEA of PLDT Global.

Apart from servicing the needs of overseas Filipinos, PLDT Global is also committed to bringing international solutions to the Philippines. This opens more opportunities for the country to deliver the technology needs of the global market, by leveraging on the PLDT group’s digital infrastructure.

“We are here to provide innovative platforms to our global network of carriers and enterprise customers, linking them to potential clients who might need their services not only overseas, but also in the Philippines. Through this partnership, we hope to deliver world-class next-generation 911 services to local public safety agencies and emergency responders,” says Albert Villa-Real, PLDT Global President and CEO.

  (Left) Albert Villa-Real, President and CEO at PLDT Global Corporation and (Right) Don Ferguson, CEO and Co-Founder at NGA 911.png

Photo: (Left) Albert Villa-Real, President and CEO at PLDT Global Corporation and (Right) Don Ferguson, CEO and Co-Founder at NGA 911

This PLDT Global initiative contributes to PLDT’s broader goal of enabling the Philippines’ digital infrastructure and boosting its ambition to become the hyperscaler hub of the region and a key destination for digital transformation and investment.

For more information, visit www.nga911.ph

After Morong, E911 National Office, DILG aims to bring state of the art emergency response system to other LGUs

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The town of Morong, a second-class municipality in Rizal, scored a feat this May by being the first-ever local government unit in the Philippines and the first in Southeast Asia, to put in place a world-class, state-of-the-art emergency response center with the Next Generation 911 System used in the USA to better serve their residents.

Executive Director Francis Fajardo of the Emergency 911 National Office and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for External, Legal and Legislative Affairs Atty. Juan Victor Llamas, activated Morong’s Emergency 911 Hotline Number at the inauguration of Morong’s E911 Local Command Center in Sitio Paglabas, Bgy. San Pedro on May 6.

Fajardo hailed the establishment of the first E911 command center in the country as “a significant step forward in providing efficient and effective emergency response services to every corner of the nation”.

“This center will serve as the nerve center for emergency operations in Morong. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by dedicated personnel trained to handle any crisis with precision and professionalism,” Fajardo said.

Usec. Llamas congratulated the officials of Morong for being the first local government unit with a Next Generation 911 System in the country and said that Secretary Benjamin Abalos and the DILG supported the project.

“Morong will be placed in history as the pioneer LGU to use Emergency 911, made possible with the help of NGA 911”, Llamas said.

Morong will now be able to use the emergency 911 hotline instead of the current ten-digit number for emergency calls. Fajardo revealed that guided by the fundamental principles of the Bagong Pilipinas brand of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, his office and the DILG jointly aim “to localize the emergency 911 hotline nationwide in order to fulfill our mandate under Executive Order No. 56 for the institutionalization of E911 as nationwide answering point that conforms with the international standard for emergency hotline number”.

In April 2023, Morong town officials led by Mayor Sidney Soriano and Vice Mayor Jose Fred Feliciano signed an agreement with NGA Philippines (NGA) to provide Morong with world-class and complete solutions for emergency communication and public

safety services. NGA Philippines is the local subsidiary of multinational corporation NGA 911, LLC headquartered in California, USA.

NGA is known globally as the innovator of emergency calling technology used by many states in the USA. The leader in Next Generation 911 (NG911) emergency communications worldwide, NGA’s system is built on the industry standards adopted by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) in the United States and the European Emergency Number Association (EENA).

NGA Philippines’ Country Head Robert Llaguno said Morong’s investment in the emergency NG911 system presently used in the United States pioneers the use of technology in the country that will revolutionize the way and speed with which the LGU can handle emergencies. “NGA is prepared to bring the state-of-the-art E911 system to other LGUs in the archipelago, one LGU at a time”.

“All 911 calls to the Morong DRRM Command Center are now fully recorded, and conference and transfer facilities are now seamless,” explained Llaguno. “There is more efficient dispatch and coordination. The LGU will also be able to accurately pinpoint the location of the emergency call and associate the same with the closest responders to provide a more immediate response.”

Llaguno said several other LGUs will follow Morong’s lead within the next two quarters: one in North Luzon, one in Visayas, and one in Mindanao.

“There is a growing number [of LGUs] shifting to Next Generation 911 and we are seeing a lot of local chief executives prioritizing public safety [for their constituents],” he added.