Dumaguete city: Hundreds of officials from Negros Oriental and Siquijor, alongside government agencies and civilian partners, have committed to supporting a Philippine National Police (PNP) initiative aimed at enhancing safety on the Negros Island Region (NIR) through the 911 hotline. This commitment was made during the launch of the S.A.F.E. NIR Dial 911 initiative at the Negros Oriental Convention Center, led by the Police Regional Office-NIR under the leadership of acting regional director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardi±o.
According to Philippines News Agency, S.A.F.E., which stands for Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary, is a comprehensive response initiative that offers quick, localized police and emergency assistance services throughout Negros Island and Siquijor. Cardi±o highlighted the positive outcomes from the initial deployment of the 911 hotline in Negros Occidental, where it has been operational for several weeks.
Cardi±o explained that the system operates similarly to a call center hub in Manila, where operators are on standby to receive emergency calls. Upon receiving a call, the operator collects information and immediately contacts the nearest police station to the incident location. While the ideal response time is five minutes from when the call is received, Cardi±o noted that it is not a strict requirement, though prompt police response is imperative.
Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria of Dumaguete City committed to providing additional mobility assets to the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office. This move aims to enhance police stations' ability to respond swiftly to criminal activities and emergencies. Sagarbarria emphasized the city's reputation as the 'safest city' in the Philippines and expressed his desire for the entire province to achieve the same level of safety. He also stressed the importance of community involvement, noting that force multipliers like barangay tanods, or village watchmen, play a critical role in supporting the police.
Rep. Janice Degamo of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental voiced her support for the initiative, citing the potential of the 911 hotline to deter crimes. She drew on her personal experience, recalling the tragic murder of her husband, the late Gov. Roel Degamo. On March 4, 2023, armed men attacked the Degamo residence in Pamplona town, resulting in the death of ten people and injuries to several others. Rep. Degamo underscored the importance of peace, order, security, and safety, expressing that the 911 service could prevent future crimes and assist residents facing emergencies.
Efforts are underway to launch a 'smart district' reflecting the 80-20 principle, which suggests that significant progress can be made with limited resources. The launch event was attended by various dignitaries, including Gov. Manuel 'Chaco' Sagarbarria, Vice Gov. Fritz Cezanne Diaz, Rep. Maisa Sagarbarria of the 2nd district, a representative of Gov. Jake Villa of Siquijor, as well as mayors, councilors, officials, and representatives from government agencies and community organizations such as the Guardians Brotherhood and barangay tanods.
The attendees collectively read and signed a pledge to support and promote the S.A.F.E. Dial 911 initiative in their respective communities, demonstrating a unified commitment to enhancing safety across the region.
