Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippine National Police can still use the RapidPass system in manning checkpoints across the country even after the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is lifted.
“I think we should use [RapidPass] for other things and we can use this after this lockdown,” said Lorenzana during a virtual press conference of the Inter-agency Task Force. “This is very good. I hope the Philippine National Police would be able to adopt this sa kanilang mga [in other] checkpoints even after the ECQ.”
Lorenzana said the RapidPass is very helpful as it serves as a virtual identification.
The RapidPass system was launched Friday by the government to help accredited frontline workers and accredited personnel lessen their physical contact with security personnel in checkpoints by just flashing unique QR codes with corresponding control numbers. Healthcare workers can obtain the pass through the RapidPass website.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the system is only available for checkpoints for now, but added this could be adopted in barangay-level where one person per household is allowed to go out to purchase basic necessities.
“Di ba per family may isang member allowed (there is only one to go out to purchase the essentials…maybe in the future we can go to that level, wala pa tayo sa phase na ‘yan (we are not yet in that phase),” he said.
