SM Prime Joins DILG in Launching Nationwide Unified 911 for Resilience Campaign

MANILA, Philippines, 8th August 2026 — SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to launch the Unified 911 for Resilience: National Campaign, a nationwide initiative that aims to strengthen public awareness of emergency preparedness and promote a more coordinated emergency response system across the country.

Held at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in observance of National Disaster Resilience Month, the campaign brought together more than 2,000 representatives from the DILG, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine National Police, local government units, barangays, and other partner agencies for a unified call to build safer, more resilient communities.

"At SM, we believe that resilience is a shared responsibility. Building safer, more prepared communities requires the government, businesses, and citizens to work together toward a common purpose," said SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations Junias M. Eusebio.

"It is an honor for SM to be the private sector partner and to stand alongside the DILG, the PNP, and the Bureau of Fire Protection in launching the Unified 911 for Resilience: National Campaign," he added.

One of the campaign's highlights was the simultaneous activation of Unified 911 campaign materials across SM Prime's nationwide digital network, including the iconic MOA Globe and nearly 400 cinema screens nationwide. The synchronized rollout amplified the campaign's message, leveraging SM's extensive footprint to reach millions of Filipinos and encourage greater awareness of the country's emergency response initiatives.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano led the event alongside senior officials from the DILG, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Office of Civil Defense, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Emergency 911 National Office, and the City Government of Pasay.

Through its partnership with the DILG and other government agencies, SM Prime continues to support initiatives that promote public safety, disaster preparedness, and community resilience. By utilizing its nationwide network of malls and digital platforms, the company helps extend the reach of campaigns that empower Filipinos with vital information and encourage a culture of preparedness.

As one of the country's leading integrated property developers, SM Prime remains committed to working with both the public and private sectors to help build safer, more resilient communities for all Filipinos.

Domestic Abuse Tops VAWC-Related Calls to 911; Victims Assured of Safe, Confidential Reporting

Domestic abuse continues daily in Philippine households, alongside wife battery, maltreatment, and rape, while children face online sexual abuse and exploitation, violent discipline, incest, bullying, neglect, psychological abuse, and economic exploitation.

 

Data from the Emergency 911 National Office from January 2025 to February 2026 shows domestic trouble as the most reported case, with 2,533 calls involving physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse. Wife battery, maltreatment, and rape cases followed at 214,209 and 106 incidents, while 173 calls involved child abuse.

 

Other cases included sexual harassment (80), acts of lasciviousness (60), prostitution (8), human trafficking (5), abandoned children (3), and abortion (1). Most VAWC calls came from Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Cebu Province, followed by Dumaguete and Bacolod.

 

E911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo said the hotline receives an average of 300 to 500 VAWC-related calls monthly, with increased reporting since the September 2025 rollout of Unified 911. He clarified that the rise does not necessarily mean more abuse, but reflects improved reporting through an easy-to-remember hotline and faster response using next-generation technology.

 

Call-handling efficiency also rose to 98 percent from 48 percent in 2024.

 

Despite this, many victims remain hesitant to report, even with confidential assistance available through the Philippine National Police and barangay VAWC desks.

 

Robert Llaguno, Country Head of NGA Philippines, assured victims they can safely and privately call 911.

 

“Abuse victims need not fear exposure or suffer retaliation from their tormentors when they call for help using 911. The next-generation emergency system that we have has enhanced security and privacy protocols that protect caller confidentiality even while voice calls, real-time text, photos or videos are being transmitted. The system is built on secure, IP-based networks that make sure personal data shared during an emergency is used only for the purpose of delivering immediate assistance,” Llaguno explained.

 

“All data, including caller location, is protected from unauthorized access during the emergency call. Digital infrastructures make sure that all information shared between caller and the emergency call center is confidential and secure. The system is engineered to protect the caller and also provide situational awareness to the first responders,” Llaguno assured.

 

He added that access is simple and nationwide.

 

“There are only three numbers to remember wherever you are in the country. Dial 911 and within seconds, the integrated system goes to work. Trained call takers evaluate the call to determine what type of emergency response is needed. The call goes through a network that engages the national police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, medical services and LGUs so help arrives almost instantly at the exact location of the call.

 

“The service is free and is available 24/7. It is language-sensitive so callers can converse in Tagalog, Cebuano, Waray, Ilocano, Tausug, and other native languages,” Llaguno added.

 

He urged continued use of the system beyond Women’s Month.

 

“It is time for women and children anywhere in the Philippines to get the respect, care and protection that they deserve. Now they have someone who will listen, act, and protect them from harm. The unified 911 system is designed to give citizens peace of mind and a reliable lifeline.”

 

As DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, “Unified 911 should not just be a hotline. It is a lifeline. Every second matters, every call matters, every life matters. This is government fulfilling its promise that help will always be within reach.”

 

PH National Cancer Summit 2024 Spotlights NICCA’s Pivotal Role in Cancer Prevention

The 2024 Philippine National Cancer Summit (PNCS) marked a pivotal moment in the nation's fight against cancer, spotlighting the transformative potential of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) in enhancing early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cancer continues to be a significant public health issue, contributing to 7.84% of the country's disease burden and ranking as the third highest cause of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY). Breast cancer is the most common among women, accounting for 31.4% of cases, while lung cancer is the most prevalent and deadliest among men, with 19.5% of cases.

Against the backdrop of these daunting statistics, the two-day summit, themed “Advancing Integrated Cancer Care Systems for the Filipino,” offered new hope and direction, aligning with the goals of the NICCA.

Enacted on February 14, 2019, the NICCA provides a comprehensive framework to ensure the availability of quality and affordable cancer care services, aiming to improve survival rates and alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families.

Dr. Manuel Francisco “Ramy” Roxas, chairperson of the Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CanCom), which spearheaded the summit, highlighted the event's importance in bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to improve cancer care.

“We are very honored that many dignitaries are joining us today to make this cancer summit even better than last year. But the task ahead is still long and challenging. We are here to listen to each other and inspire each other to continue to improve cancer care for our people,” he stated, emphasizing a "whole of society" approach to the cancer fight.

In his keynote address read by Philippine Cancer Center Head Dr. Alfonso Nunez III, Department of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa pointed out the significant challenge cancer poses to public health and its expensive consequences. He stressed the need to educate and inform communities about health-maintaining behaviors and disease prevention.

“Our endeavors covered the end-to-end spectrum of care with a strong emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention,” Herbosa remarked. “Central to our national cancer strategy is the early and regular screening measures such as sparing sufficient time for regular physical checkups. That includes breast examination, specifically mammograms, cervical screening, and many more. These services are available and accessible. Early detection saves lives by enabling timely interventions when treatment outcomes are most favorable.”

Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. underscored the critical role that local government units (LGUs) play in integrating national guidelines with local needs as the primary implementers of healthcare policies.

He aims to unite stakeholders to devise a unified plan for cancer care at the local government level, saying “We should really sit down, look at the capacity of each, harmonize everything, and do a master plan. That is what I commit to this group that we're going to do.”

At the LGU level, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte shared the city's efforts. “We are in the process of crafting the localized version of the NICCA. The city government can allocate a more significant amount of resources kapag mayroon na tayong local version of the national law. Hopefully, this can be done by the second quarter of this year,” she said.

Belmonte also stated that their overarching goal is to develop and maintain a system that combines scientific advancements and practical applications into a comprehensive program aimed at reducing cancer morbidity and mortality, especially in Quezon City.

The PNCS 2024, held on February 29 and March 1 at Novotel Araneta, served as a vital platform for stakeholders to collaborate and share innovations in cancer care, aiming to change the landscape of cancer treatment and management in the Philippines.

By focusing on the importance of early screening and intervention for the most common cancers, the summit sought to gather collective efforts toward a future where cancer is no longer a daunting foe for Filipinos, ensuring access to necessary care and support for everyone.

BSP, DILG, GCash Expand Paleng-QR Ph to Tarlac

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) continues to strengthen their  campaign to promote financial inclusion for Filipinos as they roll out another Paleng-QR Ph Plus initiative in Camiling Tarlac  in cooperation with GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet.

Under the joint initiative, market vendors, and tricycle drivers in Camiling Public Market can easily transact with their customers through GCash QR codes. With this, both vendors and consumers can have a safer and more seamless shopping experience. Moreover, this initiative ultimately boosts the growth of the digital ecosystem, especially in the grassroots economy.

With the rollout, locals can also access GTreats in the GCash booth at the Camiling Public Market for special deals and promos when they pay using GCash. With the program’s entry in Camiling Tarlac, GCash has so far onboarded a total of 553 market vendors in Camiling Public Market, and more than 150 Tricycle Operators/Drivers Association (TODA) to allow payment through the e-wallet. 

In addition to providing a safer and more convenient cashless experience to vendors and their customers, GCash is also set to onboard more small merchants for GCash Pera Outlet (GPO) in the city. This feature on the app allows vendors and small merchants to earn extra income and grow their businesses by offering customers in the community convenient access to various GCash services such as Cash-in, Cash-out, Pay Bills, and Send Money.

“We are very grateful to the BSP, DILG, and GCash for pushing the Paleng-QR Ph Plus initiative in the city. Thanks to this initiative and to GCash’s convenient services, small merchants, tricycle drivers, and consumers can now enjoy a hassle-free payment experience for their everyday transactions and at the same time, thrive in the digital era. We look forward to the expansion of the program across the city as well as more strategic partnerships with the BSP, DILG, and GCash,” Tarlac City Mayor Maria Cristina C. Angeles said.

Driven by its shared vision of “Finance for All”, BSP, DILG and GCash have already on-boarded more vendors and tricycle drivers for the Paleng-QR Ph Plus initiative in various public markets in Pasig City Mega Market as well as Baguio City Public Market, Bangkerohan Public Market in Davao City, Dao Public Market in Tagbilaran City, Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (AMTODA), Bacolod Libertad Public Market, Naga City People’s Market and Lapu-Lapu Public Market, all of which now accepts GCash cashless payments using QR codes.

With its long-standing collaborations with the public sector and Local Government Units (LGUs), GCash continues to lead Filipinos to a brighter, and more financially-inclusive future.

With the continued adoption of mobile wallets, GCash also continues to urge its users to be extra vigilant when making transactions on the app and reminds users to never disclose their MPIN or OTP, as well as to never click links outside the GCash app, especially from unknown senders or websites.

To report scams and fraudulent activities, visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or message Gigi on the website and type, “I want to report a scam.” GCash will never send private messages to ask for personal information, especially the MPIN and One-Time Pin (OTP). Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline 2882 for queries and other concerns.

The GCash app is available for free on Google Play and the App Store.

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About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, 81M registered users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5.2M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.

GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.

DTI Chief Signs IRR of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, strengthens PH Creative Industries

MAKATI CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as spearheaded by Trade Secretary Fred Pascual signs the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11904, otherwise known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA).

The PCIDA, which lapsed into law on 28 July 2022, mandates the development of a vibrant Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, creative workers, indigenous cultural communities, creative content providers, and other stakeholders.

The law provides adequate support measures to the Philippine creative industries which currently face various binding constraints to growth, such as high output costs, fragmented education systems, piracy issues, lack of data and statistics, underdeveloped branding and infrastructure, and wide skill gaps and mismatch, among others.

To steer and oversee the implementation of the law, it creates the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC), which will be chaired by the DTI Secretary, and composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); the Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and private sector representatives from various creative domains.

Aside from the PCIDC, the law also mandates the development of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan (PCIDP), which shall embody several support mechanisms geared to address the specific concerns in the creative ecosystem covering infrastructure, research and development, innovation, digitalization, financing, investment, and education, among others.

The law also seeks to develop and promote Philippine Creative Cities to produce more UNESCO-designated creative cities in the country by placing creativity and culture at the heart of local development plans and promoting the establishment of creative hubs and clusters.

The promulgation of the PCIDA-IRR is set to advance the country’s efforts in effectively executing the PCIDA towards enabling the creative industries to be a key driver of the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

DTI Secretary Fred Pascual sees the signing of the IRR as an important step towards harnessing the enormous potential of the Philippine creative industries. “The collaborative efforts of different stakeholders in the creative ecosystem are all vital in building a vibrant and globally competitive Philippine creative economy. Hence, we have made sure that the PCIDA-IRR would be a product of synergistic discussions with other government agencies and the creative industry players”, he said.

Secretary Pascual also emphasized that “the signing of this IRR is an important enabling measure to effectively execute the PCIDA towards transforming the creative industries to drive our economic recovery and fuel an inclusive and sustainable growth.”

Further, highlighted that the PCIDA is set to bolster a collaborative environment for local creatives and the government; “the IRR will promote a better work environment and livelihood for creative workers, improve education and access to financial support, develop industry data and statistics for policymakers, and harness other innovation efforts to help workers and firms in the Creative Economy”, Pascual added.

He also acknowledged the enormous potential of the Philippine creative industries, noting the role of different stakeholders in building a vibrant and scaled-up Philippine creative economy at the forefront of the Asia-Pacific Region, driving the country’s development, and further enriching our local culture. In fact, the creative industries contribute almost 8% to the economy, employing 5 million workers and generating exports accounting for 12% of the country's total exports.

Meanwhile, Competitiveness and Innovation Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba added that "With new technologies & digital transformation, creative industries present new opportunities & innovation prospects for creative and cultural workers. Leveraging on cultural richness, skilled content artists and creators, and new technologies, the creative industries can act as the prime catalyst for creative disruption and innovation in the country".

The creative industries are included in the priority industries of the DTI under its science, technology, and innovation-driven industrialization strategy, which aims to grow globally competitive and innovative industries and create more and better jobs in the country.

The signed version of the IRR may be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bsoPGKvKDwV14sQeAmSaXg9nqPlbqvmy/view