MAYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has requested the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to expedite the localization of the 911 hotline number for easy access in times of emergencies.

Salazar said she already conferred with Diosdado Valeroso, executive director of the Emergency 911 national office under the DILG, citing the need to have a localized 911 in line with the city's thrust to attain a more progressive and resilient city.

Salazar noted that the call, when one dials 911, is diverted into a central command center in Manila, causing inconvenience and delay in the actual process of emergency response.

She said localizing 911 will mean easier access to the number and faster response to emergencies.

She said the calls made to the 911 locally will be automatically picked up by the local system possibly through the Security Surveillance Coordinating Office (SSCO) command center, which is manned 24/7 by City Government personnel, instead of transferring calls all the way to Manila.

The City Government has launched the SSCO last May. (SunStar Philippines)