The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday outlined plans for the Department for 2026, highlighting the enhancement of the efficiency of the Unified 911 System as the backbone of public safety in 2026.

In a message shared before the DILG family, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that more auxiliary assets will be procured for the government’s lifeline delivery. “This year, we will prioritize additional firetrucks, police vehicles, and emergency response assets to strengthen the Unified 911 system as investments in public safety,” he said.

Last September, Unified 911 was launched to consolidate the country’s emergency hotlines into a single central number and modernize the emergency response system. It achieved a 97.92 percent efficiency rate for the more than 2.4 million handled calls in November 2025 through its National Call Center in Manila and the Regional Command Center in Cebu.

Remulla likewise reaffirmed the responsible and purposeful utilization of public funds in line with the signing of the General Appropriations Act for FY 2026, supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for prudent fiscal management and uninterrupted public service delivery.

As the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) achieved the historic zero backlog feat, the DILG is also considering conducting video proceedings of cases involving police personnel to enhance transparency in ensuring due process.

With the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, the DILG has expressed its commitment to rigorous preparations, serving as the ASEAN Senior Official Meetings on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) – Philippines, and the ASEAN SMART Cities Network lead.

Meanwhile, the DILG Chief acknowledged the Department’s employees for their collective toil, underscoring that national policies are seamlessly translated into local action due to their commitment to excellent public service.

“We will continue building a DILG that is trusted and effective. One that delivers good local governance, ensures public safety, and moves the country forward inclusively,” Remulla emphasized.