The government is set to launch a QR (Quick Response barcode)-based pass system that will better enforce social distancing protocols and speed up the passage of individuals and vehicles passing through checkpoints that enforce the enhanced community quarantine.
This was announced by Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who in his daily briefing on Friday revealed details of the initiative spearheaded by the IATF and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
“This option will be available to those who want to pass through our checkpoints faster.”
Nograles pointed out that “the reality is that while the majority of the population remain home during the ECQ, there are still people who need to leave their homes to report for work, such as our health personnel and those working in essential industries.”
“However, the question is, how do we limit contact between exempted individuals and personnel manning our checkpoints? How do we ensure social distancing when individuals must show their IDs and documents?”
The Palace official explained that the RapidPass System was conceptualized to address this issue. With it, frontliners manning checkpoints can use QR scanners in smartphones that can scan personal QR codes that will be given to authorized individuals. If the QR codes are accepted by the scanners, the individuals can then pass through the checkpoints.
According to Nograles, the RapidPass “can be requested by frontliners or authorized personnel through the website RapidPass.ph, either on a desktop or a mobile device.”
If this is approved, a unique and secure QR code and control number will be granted to each authorized person or vehicle. The QR code can be printed and placed on the dashboard of one’s vehicle, or shown in the person’s smartphone.
“The QR code can be printed and placed on the dashboard of one’s vehicle, or shown in the person’s smartphone.”
Those without smartphones or printers can show the control number and a valid ID to authorities manning checkpoints.
Nograles stressed that while the RapidPass will be available to everyone, it will not be required.
“Pwede pa rin magpakita ng ID o documents para makadaan sa checkpoint. But this option will be available to those who want to pass through our checkpoints faster and want to reduce contact with others at checkpoints,” said the former lawmaker from Davao.
The DOST commissioned the creation of RapidPass to Developers Connect, Inc. (DEVCON), a non-profit organization composed of Filipino developers and IT professionals from all over the country.
Nograles said that after DEVCON founder Winston Damarillo called for volunteers to help with the project, DEVCON was able to form a global volunteer team of over 500 Filipino developers, creatives, and subject matter experts, collectively known as DCTx.
“This community of volunteers developed RapidPass as volunteers, free of charge, and its software will be released as open-source for the world to use,” said Nograles.
DEVCON is collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ensure that RapidPass adheres to government-approved standards for data privacy, security, and resilience. The system has also been field-tested by the AFP and PNP.