Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla underscored the need for improved emergency response and public safety measures during his visit to Iloilo on Friday, February 21.

DILG 6 (Western Visayas) Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, in a press conference on Friday, said the visit was a meet-and-greet with the DILG personnel where they discussed the implementation of various programs, policies internal to the organization, and their accomplishments.

Ingeniero said he believed that the DILG chief was happy with the performance of the regional offices of the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) during the visit.

“He will visit every region in the country to see the status of the PNP, BFP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and public safety and peace and order,” he said.

A key directive from the secretary is creating a “unified 911” system, emphasizing the importance of rapid emergency response.

“If there is a call, there must be a response,” Ingeniero said.

Remulla also announced plans to replace aging firetrucks across local government units (LGUs) with new models, each accompanied by an ambulance.

Given the significant budget required, he said, the goal is to ensure all LGUs receive new firetrucks and ambulances within President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s term.

During his visit, Remulla also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Metro Pacific Water’s 65.5-million-liter-per-day desalination plant in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, a project designed to address Iloilo’s water shortage. (PNA)