“I will suggest to the 911 Commission to include the Philippine Heart Association because I was surprised at how important CPR really is when we heard about it,” said Emergency 911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo during the PHA’s “Usapang Puso sa Puso” Media Conference for World Restart a Heart Day, held on November 4, 2025, at Victorino’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

The event, spearheaded by the PHA, brought together key representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine College of Emergency Medicine (PCEM), Philippine Red Cross, and the Emergency 911 National Office, underscoring a united effort to build a CPR-Ready and 911-Ready Philippines. Discussions highlighted the need for timely response, inter-agency coordination, and heightened public awareness to save more lives during cardiac emergencies.

Strengthening the Lifeline: The Unified 911 Program

Launched on September 11, the Unified 911 Program consolidated over 30 emergency hotlines into one universal number, simplifying access to emergency services. With regional call centers now capable of handling calls in local dialects—including Ilocano, Cebuano, and Bicolano—the system ensures faster, more inclusive communication during critical situations.

The evolution of 911 dates back to Executive Order No. 226 (2003) under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which institutionalized “Patrol 117.” This later transitioned into 911 under Executive Order No. 56, s. 2018 during the Duterte administration, making emergency calls nationwide free of charge—even without load, provided there is signal coverage.

Efficiency Through Innovation

Under the leadership of DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., the Emergency 911 National Hub continues to enhance efficiency and coordination across responder agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and partner institutions including the DOH, DOT, DOJ, DSWD, NTC, MMDA, AFP, and private sector collaborators.

Innovations in the system include:

• DOH Dashboard Integration – Identifies the nearest hospitals based on patient needs (e.g., cardiac arrest, snake bites).

• Incident Management System – Provides redundancy, connectivity, and geolocation capabilities for tracing callers.

• Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (POC) – Enables real-time sharing of photos, videos, and location coordinates.

• Anti-Prank Call System – Filters out spam and test calls to ensure legitimate emergencies are prioritized.

These advancements contributed to a dramatic improvement in performance—from a 48% efficiency rate in 2024 (22.3 million calls, 10.7 million handled) to an impressive 96.56% efficiency rate in 2025 (1.77 million calls received, 1.7 million handled).

A Call for a CPR-Ready Nation

Through its CPR-ReadyPH initiative, the Philippine Heart Association continues to champion nationwide CPR education and preparedness, reinforcing the message that every Filipino can be a lifesaver.

As Fajardo emphasized, including the PHA in the 911 Commission would ensure that “no emergency is met with hesitation—only readiness.”

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