Use of S-PaSS in all LGUs Institutionalized by the signing of JMC No. 1, s. 2022
The use of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage Travel Management System or S-PaSS in all local government units (LGUs) was institutionalized through the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 series of 2022 entitled the Streamlining of Requirements and Processes for Local Travel. An online ceremonial signing spearheaded by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) was held on January 19, 2022.
The JMC is a collective unified response of DOST in coordination with the ARTA, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to maintain unhampered local travel conditions in the country while protecting the public against the threats of the Covid-19 virus. Under the JMC, LGUs shall integrate their contact tracing apps with S-Pass to have an interoperable travel management and contact tracing system for domestic travel. As a major part of the JMC, S-PaSS highlights the important role of science, technology, and innovation in the country’s effective and efficient response to the problems posed by this pandemic.
S-PaSS serves as a convenient online communication and coordination platform for travelers, LGUs and other monitoring agencies. It is one of the major S&T initiatives implemented by DOST in 2021. Currently, it has reached over 6.2 million registered users nationwide. 110 out of the 121 or 91% of the LGUs are now using the system in the issuance permits of incoming travelers. With this, the system has processed more than 5.7 million Travel Coordination Permits (TCPs) and 4.2 million Travel Pass-through Permits (TPPs). Moreover, a Joint DILG-DOST Advisory was already implemented last December 16, 2021 on the automatic approval of travel documents by the LGUs after 24 hours.
With the implementation of the guidelines set by JMC No. 1, series of 2022, there will be additional support in the implementation of S-PaSS such as setting up local travel help desks and checkpoints as well as ensuring interoperability of S-PaSS to existing contact tracing and travel-related systems in the country.
The ceremonial signing of the JMC marks a new phase of implementation for DOST’s S-PaSS in providing more innovative and responsive solutions for mobility, making travel accessible and convenient for everyone. (NABFactuar/SSalazar/DOST VI KMU)