Rapid pass

(Part of an ongoing account started on March 13, 2020 of how the spread of COVID-19 in our country and our government’s response has affected our lives.)

Today, the government announces the rapid pass system.

In the words of Cabinet Secretary and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Spokesperson Karlo Nograles, the rapid pass system is designed to minimize contact between health frontliners and others authorized to work outside their homes, from those manning the checkpoints.

During the IATF virtual presscon aired over PTV, Nograles says the system revolves around the assignment of a QR code to every individual exempted from the lockdown and/or delivery truck carrying essential cargo, which will be scanned at checkpoints equipped with smartphones.

Smart Communications, Inc. and parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. donated 200 Samsung A10 phones that police personnel at the checkpoints can immediately use to scan the QR codes/rapid pass to check their validity against data provided by approving agencies.

RapidPass is a project of DCTx (DEVCON Community of Technology Experts), a volunteer-based global community working with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to develop digital solutions that will help government response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DCTx Founder Winston Damarillo says they have some 929 Filipino developers not only based in the country, but also as far as Ireland, Silicon Valley, Chicago, etc. DCTx is organized and led by Developers Connect Philippines (DEVCON), a non-profit entity that syncs, supports, and champions the success of Filipino developers. The group developed rapid pass as an open source software to enable its use for free.

Damarillo adds that those who want to apply for a rapid pass can register at a link which will be operational by Monday, April 6, 2020 (said link has been deactivated as of 2023). Information will also be made available via the group’s FB account.

Implementation is initially limited to over 50 checkpoints in Metro Manila. There are suggestions that those already issued IATF identification cards will automatically be encoded into the rapid pass system.

Once implemented, the rapid pass system will speed up the flow of goods from the provinces to their markets. There are reports of food deliveries unable to get past checkpoints, prompting Government to have the Philippine National Police (PNP) take over those installed along the national and provincial roads.

More importantly, the system minimizes human contact and consequently, chances of exposure to and transmission of the novel corona virus, while allowing for the movement of essential workers, services, products and goods.

I think this is going to be part of the new normal.

DoH update: As of 4 p.m. of April 3, 2020, the Philippines has reported 3,018 confirmed corona virus cases, including 52 recoveries and 136 deaths.