NGA 911 Receives International Community Impact and Service Award for Bringing World-Class Emergency Response System to the Philippines

Torrance, California, August 15, 2026 — California-based public safety technology company NGA 911 LLC has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact and Service Award by the International Asian American Business Expo (IAABE) in California for bringing world-class emergency response system to the Philippines.

Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) is a global leader in emergency communications technology that develops systems to connect people in their most critical moments to police, fire, and emergency medical responders.

 

The provider of advanced cloud-based Next Generation emergency communications and public safety solutions modernizes traditional dispatch infrastructure by using IP-based systems to reliably transmit voice, text and video during critical incidents.

The award was presented to NGA 911 at the IAABE Legacy Gala at the Torrance Marriott in California on August 7. The affair was hosted by the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) – a national alliance of over 61 Filipino American Chambers of Commerce spanning over 20+ U.S. states.

IAABE International Honors are supported by participating consulates from the Philippines, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Sri Lanka.

 

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles — one of the Philippine government's largest consular posts, serving approximately 1.3 million Filipinos across Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona — nominated NGA 911 for the award.

 

“We recognize the company’s efforts to bring a unified emergency response system modeled after the U.S. 911 system to the Philippines. Its full implementation will benefit a huge number of our Filipino population,” Los Angeles Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz said.

 

Ishka Villacisneros-Tusjakova, Chief Financial Officer of NGA 911 in the United States and President of Next Generation Advanced 911 Philippines received the award on behalf of the company.

 

"This recognition is an opportunity to put the Philippines on an international stage as an example of what can happen when American innovation meets Filipino leadership and public service. As a Filipina, I am proud that the work we are doing can become a model for other ASEAN countries — and inspire us to keep building technology that reaches more people and ultimately saves more lives. If our work can inspire another city or another country to modernize emergency response, then this recognition becomes something much bigger than Next Generation 911," Villacisneros-Tusjakova said.

 

Today, NGA's technology supports emergency communications across the United States and powers the Unified 911 system of the Philippines. Every day, its platform helps ensure that emergency calls and critical information reach dispatchers quickly and accurately, enabling first responders to save lives and protect communities.

 

Soon, citizens will be able to do far more than make a voice call. They will be able to text 911, send photos, videos, and share real-time information with emergency responders to provide critical situational awareness even before help arrives. Through continuous innovation, NGA is helping redefine the future of public safety, Ms. Villacisneros-Tusjakova added.

 

The Philippines became the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt this US-grade emergency system and is the only ASEAN country where next-generation technology is fully implemented and actively being used. Neighboring countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are looking to the Philippines as template for upgrading their own legacy infrastructures.

Prioritize Safety During the Holy Week Break; Know How to Call 911

The Holy Week starts on March 22 and despite the prohibitive fuel price hike, families and groups are still expected to travel by land, sea or air.

Whether the chosen destination is near or far, or even if one decides to stay at home, safety should continue to be the top priority.

Summer travelers must make sure to secure their homes by locking all doors and windows, unplugging all electrical cords to disconnect appliances, computers, air conditioners, TV sets and the like to protect them from power surges and to conserve electricity.

Travelers or even those who stay at home should always be alert for incidents of fire, theft, break-ins, medical emergencies or even suspicious activities.

The good news is that calling for help when there are emergencies, accidents or break-ins has never been easier. NGA 911 Philippines, provider of the next generation advanced technology being used by the nationwide Unified 911 System, says citizens all over the country now have unprecedented access to the national police, the Bureau of Fire Protection and emergency services.

Anyone can dial 911 from anywhere in the country for quick, integrated assistance from first responders, says NGA Philippines Country Head Robert Llaguno. Whether calling from a landline or a mobile phone the call will be routed through a single system to the nearest police, fire or medical response unit.

The Unified 911 system can respond to voice, text or video messages and its GPS feature can accurately locate callers wherever they are, Llaguno said.

For mobile phone owners, there is more good news. They can call 911 even without load or an active mobile plan on their phone. 911 calls are always prioritized and are free of charge, regardless of SIM card status.

How does the unified 911 system respond to emergency calls and why is it considered a landmark achievement in emergency response in the country?

Once a caller presses the numbers 911 on his or her gadget, the call instantly goes through an integrated network to a central point. Trained responders pick up the call in just two rings and can converse with the caller in different local dialects, Llaguno said.

The responders can evaluate the call to determine what type of emergency response is needed.

Quick response is guaranteed because the integrated system links the call to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and local governments for effective coordination. Geo location pinpoints exactly where the emergency is taking place and first responders can arrive on the scene right on time. Police, fire or medical units are dispatched as needed.

Whether in cities or in tourist locations in the country, the 911 call can be placed and first responders will arrive.

However, Llaguno says 911 must be dialed for true emergencies only. Besides, the intelligent system can identify and locate prank callers and address them accordingly.

“Dialing 911 in case of emergency – whether you are on vacation, on the road, or at home – provides a streamlined, efficient way to get urgent help from the police, the fire department or from medical services. This time we have just three universal numbers to remember – 911 – unlike the many different numbers that were unique to various LGU’s before.”

“Today we are at par with countries in Europe and the United States that use the next generation advanced technology. It is a major leap in public safety modernization,” Llaguno said. 

Sun Life Donates CAD 150,000 for Cebu Earthquake, Typhoons Tino and Uwan Relief Efforts

MANILA, PH – January 2026 – Reaffirming its commitment to extending aid in times of crisis, Sun Life has donated CAD 150,000 (PHP 6.3M) to communities devastated by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Central Visayas, and the destructive impact of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan.

CAD 50,000 (PHP 2.1M) will be allocated to restoring safe, inclusive, and continuous learning for 500 schoolchildren affected by earthquake in Cebu. With Save the Children Philippines as the implementing partner, the funding will provide modular temporary learning spaces that are child-friendly and accessible to learners with disabilities, alongside clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, emergency power stations, and internet connection. Complementary interventions, such as learning continuity kits with essential educational and psychosocial support materials, and emergency communication lines, will also be given.

Sun Life likewise aided response through World Vision Philippines, where CAD 50,000 (PHP 2.1M) was used to provide 350 families with emergency relief packs containing hygiene kits, non-food items such as blankets, mosquito nets, and lamps, and learner kits for children. Another CAD 50,000 (PHP 2.1M) went to typhoon relief efforts in Pangasinan, where 350 families received emergency relief packs to help them recover from Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan’s impact.

Meanwhile, Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, also responded to recent natural calamities through its partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation. Food packs were distributed to 600 families affected by the Cebu earthquake and 585 families in Masbate recovering from the effects of Typhoon Opong.

The Philippines ranks as one of the most disaster-prone countries, situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiencing on average 20 typhoons annually.

“More than our way of supporting communities, this donation symbolizes our firm commitment to standing with our fellow Filipinos during their most vulnerable moments,” said Benedict Sison, CEO and Country Head of Sun Life Philippines. “As a partner to Filipinos, we aim to help rebuild lives and restore hope for a brighter future.”

NGA 911 Philippines, Provider of Cutting Edge Emergency Response Technology in the Country, is Now Certified by Global Emergency Response Standards Body

NGA 911 Philippines, the local subsidiary of Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) of California and a global innovator in the field of emergency response, is now a member of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).

 

NENA is a global non-profit organization that ensures emergency services in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world conform to strict global standards in their operations. NENA collaborates with the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) on the European side so together the two agencies can ensure that emergency response systems worldwide are efficient, reliable, and capable of providing timely assistance to those in need. 

 

Recently, NGA 911 LLC in the US and NGA 911 Philippines participated in the NENA 2025 Long Beach Conference Program that showcased how Next Generation 911 technology can transform public safety and emergency response and also became a NENA member.

 

Public safety professionals and agencies from around the world explored innovations in emergency communication at the conference where the transformation of Logan County’s 911’s dispatch center into a next-generation emergency response hub was a key highlight. The adoption of advanced systems such as Next Generation 911 (NG911), real-time mapping and GPS tracking, and seamless communication platforms revolutionized how the county’s public safety hub performed was demonstrated. These technologies enable faster, clearer, and more coordinated responses between dispatchers and first responders.

 

NGA 911 Philippines has been responsible for upgrading the public safety systems of various LGUs and institutions in the Philippines to guarantee immediate and accurate response to emergency calls in the National Capital Region and other parts of the country. LGUs already served by NGA 911 Philippines like Morong, Rizal; Alaminos City, Pangasinan; Cebu City, Cagayan De Oro City, Municipality of Mambajao in Camiguin Island, and Bustos, Bulacan have reported on how their emergency response capabilities have been revolutionized by the NGA 911 technology.

 

NGA 911 uses cutting-edge technology to improve communication, location accuracy, and data sharing between emergency service providers and link them together to address an emergency call. Moving beyond traditional voice-only calls, the NGA 911 technology enables to public to use multimedia text, photos and videos with their calls. These are then processed by the system to ensure faster call routing and enhanced location services. The result is quicker, more efficient, and coordinated responses during emergencies. 

 

With the NENA membership, NGA 911 Philippines can better assure LGUs and institutions that its services conform to the highest global standards in. emergency response.

 

Becoming a NENA member opens doors to transformative opportunities in public safety because NENA plays a key role in shaping the future of emergency services through its standards, training, and technological support. NENA standard technologies enable faster response times, real-time data sharing, GPS tracking, and seamless communication between dispatchers and first responders.

 

For the Philippines, adopting NENA standards and NG911 infrastructure offers the potential to modernize the country’s 911 services. Benefits include enhanced agency coordination, improved training for emergency personnel, and more efficient, data-driven resource management. Ultimately, these innovations are expected to improve response times and elevate the quality of emergency care across the nation.

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness: SM Makes the Incident Command System Possible

In a country like the Philippines, where typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural calamities are part of the norm, resilience is not just a necessity but a way of life. Ranked consistently high in the World Risk Index due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt, the nation faces challenges that demand coordinated, forward-thinking approaches to disaster preparedness and response. 

Among those leading the way is SM Supermalls, whose commitment to resilience continues to evolve through investments in systems that safeguard not only business continuity but, more importantly, the communities they serve.

Disaster resilience in the private sector has become increasingly crucial.

Corporations have the capacity to create ripple effects both in terms of operational continuity and their influence on surrounding communities. For SM, a sustained and risk-informed approach to resilience ensures that when emergencies strike, response is swift, coordinated, and grounded in tested protocols.

A key initiative in this approach is the company’s very own rollout of the Incident Command System (ICS). Designed to provide a standardized structure for managing emergency response, the ICS originated in the United States and is widely recognized as an on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept. Through its unified hierarchy and clearly defined roles, the ICS ensures that different responders---from government agencies to private security teams---can act in sync. This leads to more efficient resource management, better communication, and a higher degree of accountability during high-pressure situations.

As part of the initiative, SM regularly implements emergency preparedness drills across its network of malls and consistently participates in nationwide efforts for disaster preparedness, such as the annual fire and earthquake drills led by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). These efforts are complemented by support for the quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drills led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). These exercises include both employees and tenants, creating a culture of readiness that extends beyond corporate boundaries.

In addition, 79 SM Supermalls have been certified under the Business Continuity Management Systems---a reflection of the company’s structured and systematized approach to disaster risk reduction and recovery. This level of certification not only reflects internal diligence but also sets a benchmark for the broader business sector.

SM also has a dedicated resilience center, which operates as a centralized communications hub during large-scale disruptions. This facility coordinates with all SM malls to ensure rapid information flow and streamlined decision-making in the event of a national emergency.

SM’s collaborative approach to disaster resilience was also demonstrated during the 2024 Asia- Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila. On the last day of the conference, SM City Clark became the focal point of an ICS demonstration attended by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Resilience and foreign delegates.

The event showcased a unified response involving mall management, the Clark and Angeles municipalities, the BFP, OCD Region 3, and NDRRMC. Together, they enacted coordinated procedures designed to enhance public safety, offering an up-close look at how integrated disaster response works in a real-world environment.

In preparation for the site visit, SM Supermalls partnered with ARISE Philippines, the Private Sector Alliance for Resilient Societies, to conduct an ICS workshop alongside the OCD. This training brought together heads of operations, human resources, security, and Information Technology from SM City Clark and nearby locators such as Park Inn Hotel. Facilitated by experts from the BFP and the Philippine Army, the workshop provided hands-on training in ICS protocol, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to capacity-building at the local level.