2-Year-Old in Iligan Saved by 911 Hotline

The National Emergency Hotline 911 was established just a few months ago, but it’s already making a difference in the lives of Filipinos.

Richard Serrano Celeste shared on social media how the emergency hotline helped save his two-year-old son.

“I was about to sleep the other night when our Baby Abraham cried out loud because he had difficulty breathing normally due to throat irritation,” Celeste wrote on his Facebook page.

Since it was already midnight in Tipanoy, Iligan City and transportation was no longer available, Celeste wasn’t sure how to get his baby to the hospital. He even tried calling a former classmate to no avail.

Left with no other options, he decided to dial 911.

“Our baby still cried and I thought of calling 911 at 11:46 p.m.,” Celeste recounted.

Some 20 minutes later, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Iligan City arrived at his apartment.

“They warmly accommodated us and they checked our baby’s vital signs while we were on our way to the Adventist Medical Center,” said Celeste.

The whole experience  left a positive impression on Celeste, making him realize that change has indeed come under the Duterte administration.

“As of this writing, our baby is doing well and he was discharged from the hospital this morning. Salamat Lord. 911 is real, change is here,” wrote Celeste in his post, which already has more than 1,700 likes and reactions and 500 shares.

He also thanked the 911 call center agent and the CDRRMO staff for their quick response even if they live in a “not-so-easily-accessible location.”

“Thank you Lord that 911 really works because being a parent so concerned of his child’s welfare will really be bothered, especially if he has no vehicle yet to ride on,” said Celeste while also encouraging everyone to call 911 if caught in emergency situations.

Both the emergency hotline 911 and the President’s hotline 8888 were launched in August 2016 as 24/7 national public services hotlines.

President Duterte also signed Executive Order No. 56 last May 25, which replaced PATROL 117 with 911 as the nationwide emergency hotline.

He also ordered local government units to establish local 911 call centers within their jurisdiction but “under supervision of the National Call Center.”

Both hotlines (911 and 8888) are free of charge and other fees.

via Philippine News Agency / Jelly Musico