During a visit to Iloilo City on February 21, 2025, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla emphasized the critical need for enhanced emergency response and public safety measures. His tour included stops at the regional offices of the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), where he engaged with local officials on the execution of various programs and policies.
DILG 6 Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero reported that the visit served as an opportunity for the DILG chief to assess the performance of these regional offices. Ingeniero expressed confidence that Secretary Remulla was pleased with the outcomes he observed. The secretary’s itinerary includes visits to every region in the Philippines to evaluate the status of the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and overall public safety and order.
A significant focus of Remulla’s visit was the push for a unified 911 emergency response system, stressing the necessity of immediate action upon receiving emergency calls. Additionally, he announced plans to upgrade the fleet of firetrucks across local government units (LGUs), proposing to replace old vehicles with new firetrucks, each paired with an ambulance. This initiative, which requires a substantial budget, aims to be fully implemented within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In addition to his focus on emergency services, Secretary Remulla participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new desalination plant in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo. This project, spearheaded by Metro Pacific Water, is set to produce 65.5 million liters of water per day, helping to alleviate the region’s water scarcity issues.