The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases – Technical Working Group for the RapidPass System (IATF-TWG-RPS), led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), has issued the guidelines for the implementation of the RapidPass System.
According to a press release, the system was conceptualised by the IATF-MEID.
The Rapid Pass System is the government’s initiative to speed up the checking of the identities of professional at the frontlines and authorised personnel and to lessen person-to-person contact at designated checkpoints. The system employs QR codes and control numbers as checkpoint passes.
In line with these guidelines, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued Memorandum Order 06-04-2020 to implement the system for the telecommunications sector. This sector includes public telecommunication entities (PTEs), internet service providers (ISPs), value-added service providers (VASPs), cable tv networks (CATVs), and other pay-TV services and their third-party contractors.
These entities should apply for their essential and skeletal workforce through the bulk application, the release noted. Individual applications filed directly to the RapidPass website by individuals belonging to the covered entities will be denied.
The companies are required to accomplish a spreadsheet, RapidPass Form, and an Attestation Form, which are downloadable at the website. Users should email this to the NTC at ntc@rapidpass.ph.
NTC’s Regulation Branch or Broadcast Services Division will verify the completeness of the applications, ensure the personnel listed are appropriately considered as Allowed Persons Outside of Residence (APOR).
Then, the teams will determine the appropriate number of RapidPasses to be issued. Once approved, the RapidPass Forms shall be uploaded to the Rapid Pass System for processing and RapidPass QR Code generation, the release stated.
The DICT Secretary said that Internet and mobile services have become indispensable in daily lives during this community quarantine. With RapidPass, the organisation hopes to fast track movement and access of telco and ISP personnel so that they may continue to do their duties, especially in ensuring unhampered services to the Filipino people.
This in line with the objectives set forth by the President through the IATF-MEID, for unhampered transport of goods and services while observing the guidelines of social distancing during the ECQ, as we prepare for the new norm, he added.
As of now, the Rapid Pass System is only operational in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Earlier this month, OpenGov reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched an interim online registration system for corporations with less than 5 incorporators, including One Person Corporations (OPC) and corporations with 2-4 incorporators.
The interim online registration system allows applicants or their duly authorised representatives to input the necessary data to complete their corporate profiles such as corporate name, address, authorised capital stock, directors, and other essential information. The applicant must provide a valid and existing email address where the status of their applications shall be sent.
Once the online registration is complete, processors from the SEC Cebu Extension Office shall then review their application forms after the corporate name has been verified by the SEC’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD).
