Bustos inaugurates advanced emergency response center

The Municipality of Bustos, Bulacan inaugurated the Bustos Command Center on Monday, April 21, becoming the first local government unit in Region 3 to adopt advanced emergency response technology similar to systems used in the United States and Europe.

Equipped with high-tech tools that can pinpoint a caller's location, block prank calls, and dispatch help quickly, the center will be staffed by LGU call handlers trained by the National E911 office.

Bustos Mayor Francis Albert G. Juan highlighted that residents can now dial 720 (local number) or 911 for emergencies such as fires, crimes, or accidents, with vehicular accidents being the most common reason for emergency calls in Bustos.

National E911 Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo praised the initiative, saying it will significantly improve emergency response and is part of the national government's push for a nationwide 911 system under Secretary Johnvic Remulla of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The new system aims to ensure rapid and accurate responses by identifying the exact location and identity of callers, integrating smoothly with other communication systems, handling multiple calls at once, and ensuring rapid on-ground response.