“911” Now the Only Number to Call in an Emergency Across the Philippines

On September 11, 2025, the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officially launched the unified “911” emergency hotline nationwide. The new system consolidates multiple existing lines from local governments and government agencies into one single, free-to-use, 24/7 service.

What is Unified 911?

Unified 911 is intended to streamline emergency response by replacing many disparate hotlines. Before this system, cities, municipalities, barangays, and agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) each had their own numbers.

There were dozens of local government unit (LGU) hotlines (35 LGUs alone had independent numbers), over 200 other separate contacts, and the added complexity of barangay captains often being the first point of contact during emergencies.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that having multiple numbers caused delays and confusion. In many instances, people in crisis would call barangay captains first, then these local leaders would escalate or reroute the request to the PNP, BFP, or medical responders. This layered process could cost precious time. The unified number is meant to cut through that fragmentation and provide faster, more efficient emergency response.

• Single Number: “911” is now the only number you need to call in an emergency.

• 24/7 Availability: The hotline is active around the clock.

• Free of Charge: Callers will not incur fees for using 911 in emergencies.

• Multilingual Capability: Trained operators can understand and respond in various Philippine languages—including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, Tausug among others—helping ensure clear communication in emergencies regardless of where people are.

• Faster Response Goal: The system aims for a five-minute response time for emergencies, with operators not only dispatching appropriate emergency services (police, fire, medical, or disasters) but also calming and guiding callers during crises.

What This Means for the Public

If you ever find yourself in a crisis—fire, medical emergency, crime in progress, or natural disaster—you now need only dial 911 to get help. No more figuring out which agency to call, or which local number applies where you are.

Whether you’re in a Luzon city, a Mindanao barangay, or somewhere in between, 911 is intended to work everywhere, with operators who can speak your language.

Secretary Remulla stated that the unified hotline will replace hundreds of prior lines—those of the PNP, BFP, LGUs, and numerous barangays—to reduce the confusion that came from the previous system.