Just eighteen (18) days after it was formally launched, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) formally takes over the management of the RapidPass System (RPS).
Originally available via RapidPass.ph, the website developed by DCTx under the DevCon.ph COVID-19 Technology Initiative aims to help in faster movement and access for frontliners and priority vehicles using a QR code-based system for permits issuance. Frontliners, responders, and delivery personnel for food and supplies can register on the website for fast approval when going through designated checkpoints.
The RapidPassPH Facebook Page has been plagued with a significant number of complaints (in the form of comments) from irate applicants waiting for a word from DCTx. It may be recalled that during the virtual press conference of DCTx before the launch of RapidPass, they promised for a very swift approval (or rejection) of applications — 24 hours max, according to Developers Connect Philippines founder Winston Damarillo.
Based on a press release issued by DCTx, RapidPassPH will continue to receive updates and system improvements from the developer organization even after the turnover of the project to DICT. According to the same organization, more than 16,000 QR codes had already been issued to the public as of April 2020 and are being used in NCR checkpoints. And for those who applied weeks ago, there is no need to re-apply now that the DICT is taking care of RapidPass — according to DCTx.
“The President wants unhampered flow of goods and unhampered transportation of critical personnel and frontliners in this battle against the pandemic. That’s why the DICT, under the guidance of the IATF-MEID, leads this effort to ensure efficiency in our checkpoints as we prepare for this New Norm,” according to DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II.
How to Apply for a RapidPassPH?
RapidPassPH can only be issued to Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) from government, private, and business entities implementing a skeletal workforce. Based on the directive issued by the DICT, duly designated company representatives should fill out the RapidPassPH Application Form together with the Attestation Form.
At present, the RapidPassPH application forms and procedures are available at this website https://dict.gov.ph/rapidpass/. You may also email [email protected] to follow-up on your application status.
The IATF-MEID has still to issue a directive regarding the revocation or cancellation of IATF-issued IDs for frontliners. Until such a directive is issued, all checkpoint personnel are instructed to honor all issued IATF-IDs if a frontliner does not have a RapidPass yet.
Approving Agencies to Process Applications Submitted
DICT said that valid IATF ID holders will be given priority in the processing of RapidPass applications. Depending on the industry, classification, and nature of work, the DICT compiled this list of corresponding government agencies tasked at facilitating the approval of applications for the RPS.
For example, in the case of the transportation sector (air, land, and sea), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been tasked to facilitate the processing of RapidPassPH applications for authorized personnel.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) only the following may apply for a RapidPass QR code:
- Pilots, crew, or airline ground personnel
- Air Traffic Services personnel
- Airport personnel who will perform other airport operations
- Other MIAA, CAAP, and Luzon International Premiere Airport Development personnel
- Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) personnel who will man the “Malasakit Help Desks”
According to the NTC, these entities should apply for their essential and skeletal workforce through bulk application of RapidPassPH. Individual applications filed directly to the RapidPass website by individuals belonging to the covered entities will be effectively denied.
Do you have your RapidPassPH QR code already? Tell us about your RapidPassPH application journey.