December 19 ------ The Enhanced 911 National Emergency Hotline can now accommodate calls concerning violence against women and children (VAWC) and cases of gender-based violence (GBV), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday. Victims will be connected to concerned government agencies for proper investigation and action. “We want to let the victims of VAWC feel that the government cares and is ready to help them at their time of need. All they need to do is dial 911 and they will be assisted promptly,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
DILG Undersecretary Marjorie Jalosjos said one out of three women is experiencing physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence even before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Año, the pandemic limited the reporting of VAWC cases, disrupted government services, and restricted mobility and transportation. As of November this year, 911 handled 2,042 calls, the majority of which were for medical aid (1,070 calls), followed by police assistance (666 calls), fire assistance (202 calls), search and rescue (100 calls), and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (four calls).
Emergency 911 Executive Director Diosdado Valeroso said they now have 72 telecommunicators on 24-hour duty, with one team working from home.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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