Secretary Fortunato “Boy” Dela Peña of DOST announced the roll out and use of a digital system to expedite the process of checking vehicles and persons at the established checkpoints to implement the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
The system, dubbed RapidPassPH, is a virtual identification system developed by Developers Connect (DevCon Philippines) that utilizes QR-code based technology to provide ease for front-liners and priority vehicles.
According to Sec. Dela Peña, “the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has partnered with a non-profit local software developer organization to develop a system that can help decongest our checkpoints” in order “to assist our front-liners in their battle against the COVID-19 crisis.”
He also said that “(t)he Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has officially approved the use of the RapidPassPH on Friday, March 27.”
On the same day, the system was tested within Mandaluyong area to facilitate fast and simple travel through quarantine checkpoints, he added.
How to Use the RapidPassPH?
Through this system, there will be less contact between users and checkpoint personnel can be established. To use it, users (those people who are classified as “Authorized Persons Outside of Residence” category as per IATF-EID’s mandate) must do the following:
- Register online;
- Then a QR code will be sent to them once approved;
- Print the QR code;
- Place it on your car window; and
- The checkpoint personnel will scan it.
The DevCon team will provide training and support to our Checkpoint front-liners and agencies. The developers of the RapidPassPH system are also working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for field testing and operations deployment.
The system will be used starting April 6, 2020. It will be a big help for the frontliners manning the checkpoints as the length of time to perform mandatory checks will dramatically decrease.
Developers Connect (DevCon Philippines)
The organization behind this system called Developers Connect (DevCon Philippines) formed DCTX or DevCon Community of Technology Experts, a volunteer-based worldwide community of experts from various fields that is working in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to develop digital platforms and solutions to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developers Connect (DevCon) is a non-profit organization which aims to promote the Filipino IT talent by providing a unique venue for IT students, educators, professionals, and enthusiasts. The organization is currently calling for volunteer developers knowledgeable in Java, Springboot, JPA, Open API, and Postgres to help them in their ongoing efforts.
For further information on how front-liners can register online, stay tuned for future updates and announcements from RapidPassPH’s official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/rapidpassph/.
