Global Filipina tech leader says Philippines is now the ASEAN model for emergency response

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Now that the Philippines has in place a unified, nationwide 911 emergency response system, the Philippines is now the benchmark for NG911 (next generation 911) deployment in ASEAN.

Ishka Villacisneros, Chief Financial Officer of the NGA 911 LLC in the US and President of NGA 911 Philippines - known globally as the innovator of emergency calling technology and the leader in Next Generation (NG911) emergency communications worldwide - said the country has become the first country in the region to fully implement the US-grade emergency technology.

On September 11, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched the unified 911 system in partnership with NGA 911 together with PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT that guarantees any call for help from any part of the country will be responded to swiftly and accurately.

NGA 911 Philippines provides the next-generation advanced technology that has revolutionized the speed and accuracy by which calls for help can be reported and responded to, while PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT, Inc. provides the network and infrastructure that link national agencies with local government units (LGUs) for faster, more coordinated response.

On its first day of operations, the DILG reported that the newly launched system already showed 94.42% efficiency. The call center located at the PLDT Sampaloc office has consistently handled around 61,000 calls per day and has been able to identify and weed out test, abandoned or prank calls.

Ms. Villacisneros says the new technology will allow Filipinos to rely on a safer, more connected and more accountable emergency response system. She cited the key benefits of the system as “a single 911 hotline for police, fire, medical, and disaster response; real-time communication via text, social media, bodycam and drone video; precise caller location, even without signal – because the technology is serviced by Starlink; faster response times—from 1.5 hours down to around 5 minutes; and more transparency and data for better local decision-making”.

“Whether you’re in the city, municipality or a remote barangay, this system ensures that when you need help, you’re not alone, someone will pick up your call and get help to you.”

NGA 911 is currently focused on rolling out Next Generation 911 across all LGUs, ensuring operational excellence, responder training, and public awareness,” Ms. Villacisneros said. Down the line, more upgrades like AI-powered alerts, predictive analytics and multimedia integration for smarter, faster response are to be expected.

“Regionally, we’ve begun conversations with Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Maldives, and more who are eager to adopt the technology after seeing the Philippines lead the way. The success here has positioned us to export not just the system—but the roadmap and strategy for implementation throughout Southeast Asia.

Other ASEAN countries are now reaching out to NGA 911, hoping to follow the Philippine model. “It’s an incredible moment. The Philippines is no longer just adopting tech—we’re exporting solutions,” Ishka says proudly.

Ms Villacisneros began the journey to bring Next Generation 911 (NG911) to the Philippines in 2019 “not just as a business move, but as a mission to save lives”.

“Back then, emergency response in the country was fragmented and inefficient: over 30 local emergency hotlines, 200 fire numbers, 700 police lines, and more than 40,000 barangay numbers. Help was not only delayed—it often didn’t come at all.

“In the last four years, I navigated a volatile landscape—working through administration changes, pandemic lockdowns, natural disasters, all while pushing the initiative forward. Despite these challenges, I successfully secured millions of dollars in U.S. investment from NGA 911 LLC, and built high-level partnerships with PLDT, Google, AWS and Starlink to support nationwide deployment.”

“We’ve shown that with determination, partnerships, and people-first leadership, even a developing country can leap into the future. Now, the Philippines is not just catching up—we’re leading,” Ms. Villacisneros said.

Her vision? For the Philippines to become the ASEAN regional hub for life-saving public safety tech.

UP GE CLUB TURNS 88!

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Get ready for “Aquarelliste: Map the Future of Geospatial Innovation with Geomatics Expertise and Visionary Solutions.” — a two-week celebration of geospatial innovation, creativity, and legacy as the UP Geodetic Engineering Club marks 88 years of excellence!

🗓 October 11–25, 2025

📍 University of the Philippines Diliman

Join us for a powerful lineup of events:

✨ Eclissia (Oct 11) – Community outreach with a purpose

🏃 Elantra (Oct 12) – Sportsfest for unity and wellness

🎨 Vitrosa (Oct 13–17) – Exhibit of student innovation & creativity

🧠 Intellea x Illustria (Oct 18) – Geoid Quiz + Earthistic Art Comp

🌟 Étoile (Oct 25) – The grand 88th Anniversary Night!

Whether you're a student, alum, or geospatial enthusiast, this is your moment to celebrate, connect, and look forward to the future of geomatics.

Save the dates and follow us for more updates!

Facebook: UP Geodetic Engineering Club

Email: upgeclub@coe.upd.edu.ph

Official Website: UP Geodetic Engineering Club

#UPGEClub88 #Aquarelliste2025 #TheFewTheProudTheBest #GEClubAt88

MIMAROPA's Hidden Treasures Take Center Stage: Inside the Region's Biggest Trade Showcase

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY — The pristine waters of Palawan. The marble-rich mountains of Romblon. The lush forests of Mindoro. The historical heart of Marinduque. For four days starting today, these island provinces are converging at Glorietta Activity Center for what promises to be the most ambitious celebration of regional entrepreneurship the country has seen this year.

The 2025 OBRA MIMAROPA Trade Show opened its doors this afternoon with a bold declaration: #MaramiPaSaMIMAROPA — there's so much more to the region than meets the eye. And with 124 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across five provinces, the event is proving that statement true in spectacular fashion.

A Movement, Not Just a Trade Show

"This is more than a marketplace," explains the event brief. "It's a movement to promote and capture the economic diversification and local entrepreneurship in the region."

The numbers tell a compelling story of growth. Last year's inaugural event brought together 51 exhibitors and generated ₱6 million in sales. This year? The organizers have nearly doubled participation to 124 MSMEs across 59 retail booths, with an ambitious target of ₱7 million in sales.

Oriental Mindoro leads the charge with 35 participating businesses, followed closely by Marinduque with 33. Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Palawan each contribute between 18 and 19 exhibitors — a remarkable showing that demonstrates the breadth of entrepreneurial energy pulsing through the region.

The Opening Day Spectacle

This afternoon's grand opening was nothing short of ceremonial theater. Beginning at 2:00 PM, the program featured prayer, the national anthem, and the stirring "Beloved MIMAROPA" and "Bagong Pilipinas" hymns — a reminder that regional pride and national identity are inextricably linked.

DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque was invited to headline the event (just not sure if she would be able to grace the event with her presence) , alongside key officials from partner agencies. The welcome remarks came from RD FnP. Amormio CIS Benter and CESE of DTI MIMAROPA, followed by a message of support from Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., President of PhilExport.

But perhaps the most anticipated moment was the keynote address by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona of the DTI Regional Operations Group, who introduced the strategic vision behind this year's expanded showcase.

By 6:00 PM, as the Ganado Cultural Dance Troupe from Occidental Mindoro took the stage for the first cultural performance, the message was clear: MIMAROPA is ready to dance onto the national — and international — stage.

Five Vendors You Cannot Miss

Among the 124 exhibitors, several stand out as must-visit destinations:

Lionheart Farms from Palawan brings their premium organic coconut flower sap products under the CÓCOES brand, along with SLOW Drinks made from coconut flower nectar. In an era of health-conscious consumers, their naturally low-glycemic offerings position them at the intersection of tradition and wellness.

Sea Warriors Furniture from Romblon returns as the reigning champion — they were the overall top seller at last year's show. Their success speaks to the enduring appeal of Romblon's world-class craftsmanship, born from the province's legendary marble deposits.

Carl's Earthen Pots and Ceramics from Oriental Mindoro showcases the artisanal pottery tradition that has quietly thrived in the province for generations. In an age of mass production, their handcrafted pieces offer authenticity that resonates with modern buyers.

PaperThings from Occidental Mindoro has tapped into the trendy macramé bag movement, proving that traditional knotting techniques can find new life in contemporary fashion.

But perhaps the most intriguing is Marbello Enterprises from Marinduque, makers of Cocoong — a bagoong alamang-inspired condiment made entirely from coconut meat and soya, without the fermented shrimp. It's innovation rooted in Filipino flavor profiles, reimagined for vegetarian and allergen-conscious consumers.

Beyond the Retail Hall: A Feast for the Senses

The trade show is divided into distinct experiential zones, each offering something different:

Objects of Art presents creative expressions through food, fashion, and home furnishings. The Product Showcase displays prototypes from product development sessions across the provinces, while the Coco Bar invites visitors into a "gustatory experience" featuring coconut as the star ingredient in both food and beverages.

The Bayanihan Exhibit takes a more immersive approach, inspired by Filipino culture to transport visitors through showroom exhibits that capture life across Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan, and Romblon.

The Retail Hall is where the serious shopping happens — 59 booths packed with products spanning food, fashion, and home furnishings.

Arte-Xhibit might be the most dynamic space, featuring talks, discussions, and performances from the creative industry throughout the four-day run.

Four Days of Discovery

The programming across October 2-5 is dense with learning opportunities:

Day 2 (October 3) features Info Talks on Packaging 101, the Philippine Quality Award Journey, PhilExport Membership, and supply chain logistics. A live coconut cooking demo by Celebrity Chef Rosebud Benitez promises to be both educational and entertaining.

Day 3 (October 4) shifts focus to the Creative Talks series, with sessions on live recording for podcasts, ceramic pottery demonstrations, photography, dance, and advertising. The day closes with a coconut drink-mixing demonstration at the Coco Bar.

Day 4 (October 5) features a visual arts live painting session by Mr. Wilfredo Rufon of Voyage: The Mindoro Artist Group, before the closing ceremony at 5:00 PM.

Throughout, DIY Postcard Stations invite visitors to collect stamps at each station, completing souvenir postcards that serve as tangible memories of the MIMAROPA journey.

A Partnership Ecosystem

The event's success rests on an impressive coalition of nine partners and sponsors. Event partners include PhilExport MIMAROPA, the provincial governments of Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon, the city governments of Calapan and Puerto Princesa, and the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, and Department of Science and Technology.

Programs like OTOP PH, SSF, DTI-CARP, and DTI-CFIDP serve as sponsors, while the Department of Information and Communications Technology and Department of Migrant Workers provide support. GCash stands as the official payment partner, facilitating seamless digital transactions.

The Bigger Picture

What's happening at Glorietta Activity Center this week represents something larger than a trade show. It's a statement about the resilience and creativity of Philippine MSMEs. It's proof that islands once considered peripheral to Metro Manila's economic gravity are crafting their own narratives of innovation and excellence.

The MIMAROPA region — an acronym for Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan — has long been known for its natural beauty. Now, it's demanding recognition for its entrepreneurial spirit.

As visitors wander through the retail booths, taste coconut-based innovations at the Coco Bar, watch cultural performances, and attend talks on everything from packaging to pottery, they're not just shopping. They're participating in the economic diversification of a region that refuses to be defined solely by its geography.

#MaramiPaSaMIMAROPA isn't just a hashtag. It's a promise — and for the next four days at Glorietta, that promise is being kept.

The 2025 OBRA MIMAROPA Trade Show runs through October 5, 2025, at Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City. For more information, visit DTI MIMAROPA's official Facebook page or email r04b@dti.gov.ph.