PLDT, Smart commended for free routing of 911 calls

MANILA, Philippines — Advanced technology from PLDT and its mobile unit Smart Telecommunications enabled the seamless routing of 911 calls to the activated Local Command Centers in Morong, Rizal; Alaminos City, Pangasinan; and Cagayan De Oro City in October, moving closer to the target of a unified and integrated 911 emergency response system across the country.

For Smart and PLDT subscribers in these areas, emergency calls are now routed directly to the respective local government unit’s (LGU) Local Emergency Response Centers. The streamlined process eliminates the previous step of routing calls through the Emergency 911 (E911) National Office and results in faster, more direct responses to emergencies.

“The primary mandate of the E911 National Office under the 911 National Program is to provide and ensure improved public safety services to the general public by providing a clear command structure for responsibility and accessibility. We should also facilitate the prompt deployment of a seamless nationwide communication infrastructure for emergency services through the joint efforts of the government, the private sector, and civil society,” said E911 National Office executive director Francis Fajardo.

He lauded PLDT and Smart for their commitment to ensure that their subscribers have quick and direct access to emergency assistance and urged other telco providers to join this life-saving initiative for the greater public’s good, safety and survival.

NGA 911 Philippines country head Rob Llaguno likewise commended PLDT and Smart for facilitating the early routing of their subscribers’ 911 calls to the LGU Command Centers. This significant advancement further speeds up emergency response, enhancing the LGUs’ ability to protect lives and property, he said.

“We are integration-ready for any telco and eager to work with all concerned to equip our local government units with our NextGen emergency response system that is faster, more responsive, and resilient,” Llaguno added.

Llaguno emphasized the comprehensive support provided to the LGUs they serve, including the Philippine National Police Public Safety Command Center (PNP PCC). “Our services include fully recorded 911 environments, seamless conference and transfer facilities for responders, and advanced mapping and location detection capabilities. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 90 percent of 911 calls received by the PNP PCC in NCR are met with response times of five minutes or less as a result.”