Taguig defends response, says 911 gave incomplete address

MANILA, Philippines — Taguig City defended its emergency response after a patient died in Maharlika Village, saying the national 911 hotline failed to provide a complete address despite repeated requests for the patient’s exact location.

At 12:17 p.m. on Saturday, the Taguig Command Center received a request from Unified 911, the national emergency hotline under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), for ambulance assistance in Maharlika Village.

The hotline operates separately from Taguig City’s direct emergency hotlines.

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In a statement on Sunday, Taguig City said 911 provided the Taguig Command Center with only a lot and block number, without a street address or even a landmark.

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“The Taguig Command Center repeatedly tried to obtain the patient’s complete address from 911, but the necessary details to pinpoint the patient’s exact location were not provided,” it said.

The Taguig Command Center also tried calling the caller’s contact number provided by 911, but the calls went unanswered. It also coordinated with Barangay Maharlika and Barangay Upper Bicutan for immediate assistance.

Taguig City said the barangay immediately dispatched its Patient Transport Vehicle, which brought the patient to Taguig-Pateros District Hospital.

The patient arrived at 12:43 p.m. and immediately received medical intervention and resuscitative measures but was pronounced dead at 1:24 p.m.

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Taguig City said the Upper Bicutan ambulance proceeded to the Maharlika Barangay Hall to seek more information about the patient, as it had yet to receive complete details.

Upon arrival, the crew learned that the patient had already been taken to Taguig-Pateros District Hospital aboard Maharlika’s Patient Transport Vehicle.

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“The City of Taguig extends its condolences to the family of the patient who passed away following a 911 response in Maharlika Village,” it said.

“The city shares in their grief during this difficult time,” it added.

READ: DILG probes 911 response delay in Taguig medical emergency

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Taguig residents are urged to save the city’s direct emergency hotline numbers for immediate assistance during emergencies. /mcm