Sixty provinces and highly urbanized cities have adopted the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Safe, Swift and Smart Passage or S-PaSS, an innovative travel management system where the public can access information on travel restrictions implemented by the Local Government Units (LGU).

This was disclosed during the virtual formal launch of the one-stop online communication and coordination platform for travelers and local government units (LGUs) on Friday afternoon, March 26. Of the number, 40 are provinces and 20 are highly urbanized cities. 

During the virtual launch, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña initially disclosed that out of 121 provinces and major cities, 58 have already adopted S-PaSS.

"That is a very good response,” he said during S-PaSS virtual launch. 

After the S-PaSS launch, he confirmed in a Viber message  that the number of provinces and cities that adopted S-PaSS increased to 60.

Developed by DOST Regional Office VI, the system seeks to help the LGUs in managing the travelers coming from other parts of the country whether they are returning Oversease Filipino Workers (OFWs), local travelers, and tourists among others.

"S-PaSS is truly a Filipino innovation that aims basically to facilitate our travels amidst this pandemic. Ang ginawa po natin ay tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mamamayan na malayang makapaglakbay, sa isang maayos at madaling paraan na hindi kailangang isakripisyo ang ating kalusugan at kaligtasan. (What we developed aims to respond to the needs of our people for free, smooth, and easy travel without necessarily sacrificing our health and safety),” de la Peña said. 

He said S-PaSS can facilitate local travel where the public can access information on travel restrictions implemented by different LGUs. 

Through the system, travelers can check the travel restrictions of their destination through https://s-pass.ph, he said. 

"Travelers can now apply and secure for a travel coordination permit through the S-PaSS for LGUs with travel restriction policy. This travel coordination permit, or TCP replaces the travel authority previously issued by the destination LGU,” he said. 

The LGUs were previously tasked to issue the Travel Authority to local travelers including returning Overseas Filipino Workers, locally stranded individuals, and emergency travelers. 

De la Peña explained that S-PaSS is different from contract tracing system such as Staysafe.ph that most of LGUs are using for reporting health conditions and social distancing system.

"S-Pass is an easy-to-use, web-based application where travelers can coordinate their travel itineraries with their respective LGU destination.”

Travelers who intend to use the S-PaSS will have to register using their personal mobile number and check the documents required by the LGU they are going to, apply for the TCP, and submit it through the website. 

Most LGUs have contact numbers for easy coordination and verification of the status of approval of their TCP, the DOST said.  

However, the length of time for the approval of the TCP may vary depending on the LGU where the traveler is going to,it added.