Bacolod: The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) is urging residents of Negros Occidental to utilize the revitalized 911 hotline for emergency assistance as part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) strategy to ensure a 5-minute response time.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Joem Malong, NOCPPO deputy provincial director for administration, highlighted that instead of dialing the cumbersome 11-digit hotline numbers of local police stations, citizens needing urgent response can now simply call 911. This initiative aims to streamline communication and enhance the effectiveness of police response.

Malong outlined that the 5-minute response target is specifically for calls originating from city or town centers, with police personnel expected to arrive within approximately 3 minutes. For incidents occurring three to five kilometers from city centers, the response time target remains 5 minutes, although logistical constraints may sometimes necessitate slightly longer response times. Despite these potential challenges, the police are committed to responding as swiftly as possible.

On Tuesday, the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) conducted a focused inspection, assessing the use of mobile patrol units and ensuring the deployment of ‘Call 911’ stickers. Bulletproof vests were also issued to police personnel as part of this initiative. Malong, who serves as the PRO-NIR spokesperson, explained that the inspection aimed to evaluate three key operational areas: the readiness of mobile patrol vehicles, the availability and proper use of bulletproof vests, and adherence to the 5-minute response policy.

A simulation exercise for the 5-minute response strategy was led by NOCPPO Director Col. Rainerio De Chavez on Wednesday afternoon. Conducted via Zoom from the NOCPPO headquarters, the exercise involved 31 city and municipal police stations. Notably, personnel from the Valladolid and Pulupandan municipal police stations demonstrated a response time of about 2 minutes to a call for assistance at the border of the two localities in southern Negros.

Col. De Chavez appealed to the community for their cooperation in helping law enforcers fulfill their mandate of promptly responding to calls for assistance. He emphasized the importance of public cooperation, particularly in high traffic areas, to ensure that police can reach those in need without unnecessary delays.