“SafePass” useful for COVID-19 monitoring

It will replace pen and logbook which may be a hotbed of virus transmission

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has announced the use of a health information management system called SafePass, one of the digital contact tracing applications approved by the National IATF.

SafePass is digital COVID-19 incident mitigation and management solution developed by Talino Venture Labs to make safety protocols more convenient. It has two (2) versions: the SafePass Base, which is free for all types of organizations for basic contact-tracing and digital health questionnaires, and SafePass Express, which comes with employee management features, and is free for government agencies and establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

All PGIN employees, especially those working at the Capitol Building, are required to register and obtain a QR code.

According to PGIN’s Information Technology Office (ITO) chief Wilfredo Lorenzo, SafePass automates the space capacity planning of an office, its reservation, and registration, protocol enforcement, incident management, and contact tracing.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc issued Executive Order (EO) 99-20, adopting the use of SafePass in the province.

The EO recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in contact tracing for COVID-19. It underscores the importance of SafePass now that the province has opened its borders to Luzon tourists.

Soon, PGIN will also require visitors to register to SafePass; replacing pen and logbooks, which may be a hotbed of COVID-19 transmission, according to some medical experts.

Registration options include accessing the SafePass online registration URL using a web browser, Facebook Messenger even on free mode, and SMS.
Moreover, Lorenzo stressed the importance of using an active phone number while registering.

Meanwhile, those who do not have a smartphone or Internet connection may seek the assistance of their respective barangay officials for them to generate a printable QR code which may be used as a digital ID.

ITO has set up SafePass gatekeeper devices and some monitoring equipment at the Capitol Building’s convergent points to accurately monitor movements. A free access WiFi was also installed at the area. (Edison Justin B. Deus, PGIN-CMO)