Nineteen lives, including those of seven children, were brought to safety after a van plunged into a ravine along the Marilaque Highway in Sta. Maria, Laguna, thanks to a rapid rescue operation triggered through the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported Tuesday.

What could have ended in tragedy instead became a story of swift action, coordination, and lives protected. Moments after an emergency call was placed to 911 reporting the crash near Barangay Laurel, responders from the Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station (MPS), the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and other emergency personnel immediately mobilized to the scene.

According to the initial police investigation, the van was navigating a curved section of the highway when the driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and plunge into a ravine.

Despite the severity of the accident, all 19 occupants were successfully rescued. Eighteen sustained no visible injuries, while one passenger suffered minor injuries. All were transported to General Cailles Memorial Hospital for medical assessment and treatment.

For the families waiting for news, every minute mattered. The incident underscored the importance of a reliable emergency response system that can quickly connect people in distress to those trained and ready to help.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has identified the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline, launched nationwide in 2025, as a key component of the administration’s public safety agenda, providing Filipinos with faster access to emergency assistance wherever they may be.

The DILG commended the coordinated efforts of the PNP, MDRRMO, and all responding agencies whose swift response helped prevent further harm and ensured the safe rescue of all passengers.

The Department likewise reminded the public to use the 911 hotline responsibly, emphasizing that every legitimate call can mean the difference between danger and safety, and in situations like this, can help bring people home to their families.