Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday strengthened the Unified 911 emergency response capability in Eastern Visayas with the turnover of 50 Class 1 emergency response motorcycles, while highlighting the system’s dialect-inclusive assistance that allows callers to seek help in the language they are most comfortable using.

Remulla personally led the turnover of the Unified 911 emergency vehicles to eight Tourist Police Units across Eastern Visayas at the Police Regional Office 8 in Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.

He was joined by PNP-PRO 8 Regional Director PBGen Jason L. Capoy; Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla; Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone; Samar Vice Governor Arnold Tan; Southern Leyte Board Member Rolando Bacoy; Northern Samar Board Member Engr. Lope E. Dorado, Jr.; Biliran PDRRMO Sofronio Dacillo, Jr.; Tacloban City Vice Mayor Raymund A. Romualdez; and Ormoc City Vice Mayor Carmelo Locsin, Jr.

The Eastern Visayas turnover follows Remulla’s distribution of 20 emergency response vehicles on Monday to the Albay Police Provincial Office and Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office as part of the DILG’s continuing push to strengthen Unified 911 response capabilities across the country.

Remulla assured Eastern Visayas residents that Unified 911 is designed to make emergency assistance more accessible, including for callers who may be more comfortable communicating in their native dialect.

Through the region’s satellite command center, emergency calls can be handled with greater sensitivity to local dialects, helping operators better understand the situation on the ground and relay critical information to responders for faster and more appropriate action.

The DILG said the capability is particularly important during emergencies, when clear communication can save valuable time and ensure that callers are properly understood.

Aside from strengthening emergency response, Remulla convened the Regional Management and Coordinating Committee (RMCC) to improve coordination among agencies responsible for peace and order, public safety, and local governance in Eastern Visayas.

The meeting brought together regional directors and representatives of key agencies, along with their assistant regional directors and provincial and city directors, to assess regional concerns and strengthen interagency response.

Remulla commended the participating agencies for their cooperation in addressing peace and order challenges in the region. He particularly cited their response, investigation, and follow-up efforts in connection with the Tacloban shooting, noting the detailed and appropriate handling of the incident.

The DILG Chief also emphasized the need to further professionalize government institutions and strengthen local governance through sustained coordination and cooperation among national government agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders.

For Remulla, both the expansion of Unified 911 and stronger interagency coordination serve the same objective: ensuring that government is prepared, responsive, and within reach when people need help the most.