Unified emergency number eyed

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has requested various organizations involved in disaster response and emergency rescue to appear in an executive session to hear their sentiments on the proposal to unify all emergency numbers.

Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. proposed to only have one emergency number for responders regardless of the type of emergencies to be responded.

The council has invited the Patrol 117 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Red Cross in Cebu City, Central Visayas Search and Rescue, Inc., Central Command-Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection-7, Basak Pardo Emergency Respond, and Labangon Emergency Response Team, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, and other similar groups to an executive session on October 8.

Archival said that there is a need to unify emergency numbers especially making it available in mobile phones so that emergency responders would be more effective during the occurrence of disaster situations.

“Disaster occurrences like typhoon, earthquakes, fire and other public disturbances cause by criminality threatens the life and properties of the citizens as well as the peace and order in the country time and again,” he said.

Archival said that there are urgent situations that need rescue operation or medical attention, as well. Archival cited in his resolution the Executive Order No. 226 dated July 14, 2003 which institutionalizes the Patrol 117 as the national emergency hotline number of the Philippines. The DILG is currently managing the Patrol 117.

“Despite its institutionalization, 117’s coverage is limited while every locality has its own emergency numbers,” Archival said. (FREEMAN)