BY GLORIA LEODIVICA INES ARANETA
The City Government of Tagbilaran, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) led by Gerard Lavadia, officially launched the EMERGINET – Call For Help App, a mobile-based emergency reporting tool designed to bring quick and reliable assistance closer to every citizen on March 25, 2025.
This initiative forms part of the broader digitalization program of Mayor Jane Yap, harnessing modern technology to improve public service delivery and emergency response.
The EMERGINET app allows users to send immediate alerts to responders with just a few taps. By simply pressing and holding the “Report Emergency” button for three seconds, users can transmit vital information about the location and nature of the emergency.
This efficient process minimizes delays and ensures that help reaches those in need as quickly and accurately as possible.
Getting started with EMERGINET is easy.
Users can download the app from their mobile device’s app store, then secure a registration code by completing a Google form.
The registration code will be sent via SMS. While waiting for the code, users can begin setting up their account within the app by entering personal details.
Once the code and a one-time password (OTP) are received, users can complete the registration, log in, and enable location services to allow for more precise incident reporting.
CDRRMO Head Gerard Lavadia underscored the importance of this innovation and said: “This app is a concrete step toward improving emergency response. There are times when people cannot call hotlines, so with EMERGINET, a single tap could mean the difference between life and death.”
Mayor Jane Yap expressed her strong support for the project, highlighting how digital innovation can enhance government responsiveness. “We developed this tool to further improve our services and empower our responders to act faster and more effectively. These are challenging times, and we must work together and embrace technology to safeguard everyone’s welfare,” she said.
The City Government urges all residents to take advantage of this free and life-saving application and to help spread awareness so more lives can be protected, one tap at a time.