DILIMAN, Quezon City — interior and local government secretary Juanito Victor 'Jonvic' Remulla welcomed a directive from President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. ordering the restoration of funds reduced from the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) information technology (IT) program and the removal of its ₱500 million intelligence fund.

According to the former governor of Caviteno province, the intelligence fund will instead be allocated for the launch and bidding process of the country’s integrated 911 system.

“As instructed by the President, our budget secretary will revert the IT budget and remove the additional ₱500 million intelligence funds,” he clarified.

He added that they are eyeing to deploy call center agents, dispatch personnel, fire trucks, body cameras and other necessary equipment for quick response to callers who can easily communicate their needs because the country's 911 system is language-sensitive throughout the Philippines.

"So, if you’re in Ilocos, an Ilocano speaker will answer you,” he pointed out.

“We will implement a state-of-the-art system according to world standards,” Remulla further announced.
The DILG is set to launch the integrated 911 system in Greater Metro Manila, Cebu, and Mindanao by June and in other regions in the following months.