IATF-issued IDs valid at quarantine checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines — While the government is implementing the RapidPass System, law enforcers manning quarantine checkpoints should honor the identification cards (IDs) issued previously by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Malacañang said yesterday.

The RapidPass System is intended to speed up the movement of frontliners, including health workers and uniformed personnel, and priority vehicles at checkpoints.

Under the system, which is already operational in Metro Manila, those who are exempted from quarantine restriction just have to flash their unique QR codes to reduce physical contact.

There have been questions on whether IATF-issued IDs are still valid given that the government has adopted the RapidPass System.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force wants to clarify that all RapidPass System shall be applied prospectively. That means, all IDs issued by the IATF will continue to be honored,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing yesterday.

Philippine National Police deputy chief for operation Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar clarified they will still honor the identification cards issued by the IATF.

It means that media workers with IATF cards could still pass through the checkpoints after undergoing a routine inspection. Roque said the enrollment of the RapidPass ID shall be voluntary and shall cover qualified private sector entities or persons.

“All checkpoints should not hamper the movement of cargo vehicles, as well as vehicles used by public utility companies, business process outsourcing companies and export-oriented establishments even if they do not have a RapidPass,” Roque said.

Roque said all government vehicles are also exempted from the strict home quarantine requirement in Luzon. 

The PNP yesterday urged people exempted from the enhanced community quarantine to apply for the RapidPass, which will be used by lawmen in checking motorists at police checkpoints.

Eleazar said qualified users should apply in the system that will still be used even if the quarantine is lifted by April 30.

“Even beyond April 30 this will be the new norm. This is what we will use,” Eleazar said at a press briefing. – With Emmanuel Tupas