Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 56)
The main purpose of EO No. 56, s. 2018 is to institutionalize the Emergency 911 Hotline as the nationwide emergency answering point, replacing Patrol 117, and to enhance public safety and emergency response mechanisms in the Philippines.
The Emergency 911 Hotline replaced the Patrol 117 Hotline number as the nationwide emergency hotline.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is tasked to direct and control the Emergency 911 National Hotline Public Safety Answering Center.
Yes, LGUs are enjoined to establish and operate local 911 call centers within their jurisdictions using their own funds, under the supervision of the National Call Center.
The Primary Service Responders are the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
They must ensure uninterrupted connectivity and integration of all calls made by their subscribers to the Emergency 911 Hotline.
Yes, all calls to the Emergency 911 Hotline shall be free of charge as ensured by the Emergency 911 Commission.
The Commission is chaired by the DILG Secretary, with the DICT Secretary as Vice Chairperson, and includes representatives from various government agencies such as Office of the President, DOJ, DND, DSWD, DOH, DOTr, PNP, BFP, MMDA, NTC, among others, plus the President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and two private sector members.
The Commission provides policy direction, formulates guidelines for the Emergency 911 Program, recommends policies to the President, submits semi-annual reports on the implementation, and performs other duties as directed by the President.
Fraudulent, hoax, or prank reports are dealt with in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations, and the implementing rules of this Executive Order.
An Executive Director with the rank of Director IV heads the Emergency 911 National Office, appointed by the President upon recommendation of the DILG Secretary.
Yes, the private sector is encouraged to actively participate and help advocate crime prevention, public order, and public safety in any capacity.
Initial funding is charged to the fiscal year 2018 budget for 911 Emergency Services, with subsequent appropriations included in the DILG budget proposals. LGUs must fund their own local call centers, and service responders bear their support expenses.
Section 14 mandates that the Patrol 117 Commission ensures smooth and complete transition within 60 days, with no disruption of services during the shift to the Emergency 911 system.
The President issues the EO by virtue of powers vested in him by the 1987 Constitution and existing laws, specifically citing Section 17, Article VII, which mandates faithful execution of laws.