The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently launched the S-PaSS or Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage, to make it no longer difficult for travelers to get information on destinations.
“Before S-PaSS, our travelers need to look for various sources of information in order to know the travel policies or requirements of the almost 1,800 LGUs (local government units) all over the Philippines,” said Rowen Gelonga, the project leader of S-PaSS.
“S-PaSS is intended to address these problems by establishing a common portal where all needed information can be accessed, as well as online coordination with our LGUs before you actually start to travel,” she added.
Before traveling, the S-PaSS can first check if the destination is restricted or unrestricted.
If restricted, you can apply for a travel coordination permit (TCP) or travel pass-through permit (TPP) website.
Once the LGU has approved the application, the approved digital or printed TCP or TPP can be displayed at checkpoints, airports, or seaports.
“Ang S-PaSS ay magagamit din ng ating mga LGUs para magkaroon ng real- time monitoring data sa lahat ng mga pupunta sa mga probinsya,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.
S-PaSS will also help tourism.
Travel policy of LGUs can be seen in ‘S-PaSS’
“With the launching ng S-PaSS, we would be having a rigorous and very scientific approach to helping travel of people around the country, especially in areas we are trying to establish tourism bubbles and economic activity,” said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
According to Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Bernardo Florece, their agency will issue an advisory directing LGUs to use S-PaSS.
So far, more than 60 LGUs are using S-PaSS.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) wants the reimposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in NCR Plus bubble to be extended for another week, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday.
“Extension for another week was recommended but nothing is final and IATF works in a whole of government approach. There will be an assessment of the progress before ECQ ends,” Vergeire told GMA News in a text message.
Experts also recommend extending the strictest community quarantine which is scheduled to end on April 4.